EDWIN ARNOLD'S WRITINGS. 



THE LIGHT OF ASIA; or, The Great Renunciation. 
Being the Life and Teaching of Gautama, Prince of India and 
Founder of Buddhism (as told in verse by an Indian Buddhist). 
By Edwin Arnold, M.A. i6mo. Cloth. Price, $i.oo. 
Cheap edition, paper cover, 25 cents. 

POEMS. By Edwin Arnold, M.A. Comprising the 
Indian Song of Songs, Hero and Leander, Translations and 
Miscellaneous Poems. i6mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00. 

PEARLS OF THE FAITH ; or, Islam's Rosary. Being 
the ninety-nine beautiful names of Allah. With Comments in 
Verse from various Oriental Sources. By Edwin Arnold, 
M.A. i6mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00. 

Extract from the atitkor' s preface to " Pearls of the Faiths 

" I have thus at length finished the Oriental Trilogy which I designed. In 
my ' Indian Song of Songs ' I sought to transfer to English poetry a subtle and 
lovely Sanskrit idyl of the Hindu theology. In my ' Light of Asia ' I related 
the story and displayed the gentle and far-reaching doctrines of that great Hindoo 
prince who founded Buddhism. I have tried to present here (' Pearls of the 
Faith ' ), in the simple, familiar, and credulous, but earnest spirit and manner of 
Islam, and from its own points of view, some of the thoughts and beliefs of the 
followers of the notable Prophet of Arabia." 



T/ie above are the A iithor^s Editions, published by \ 

ROBERTS BROTHERS, Boston. 



INDIAN IDYLLS 



iFrom tfje Sanskrit 



OF 



THE MAHABHARATA 



BY 



EDWIN ARNOLD, C.S.I. 

AUTHOR OF "THE LIGHT OF ASIA," ETC. 




BOSTON 
ROBERTS BROTHERS 

1883 



13 



TAt's is the only America?! Edition of Mr. 
AriiohVs Indian Idylls which is published with 
his sanction. 



II- 'hOZ'J^/ 



CTamfirilige : 



PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 
UNIVERSITY PRESS. 



THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED 

S2ait!j Affection anti Ecspcct 

TO 

THE REV. W. H. CHANNING 

WHOSE LEARNING AND VIRTUES ADD HONOR TO A NAME 
ALREADY RENDERED ILLUSTRIOUS 



PREFACE. 



Some time ago I wrote and published, in a paper en- 
titled "The Iliad and Odyssey of India," the following 
passages : — 

" There exist two colossal, two unparalleled, epic poems in the 
sacred language of India, — the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, 
— which were not known to Europe, even by name, until Sir Wil- 
liam Jones announced their existence ; and one of which, the larger, 
since his time, has been made public only by fragments, by mere 
specimens, bearing to those vast treasures of Sanskrit literature 
such small proportion as cabinet samples of ore have to the riches 
of a mine. Yet these most remarkable poems contain almost all 
the history of ancient India, so far as it can be recovered ; together 
with such inexhaustible details of its political, social, and religious 
life, that the antique Hindu world really stands epitomized in 
them. The Old Testament is not more interwoven with the Jew- 
ish race, nor the New Testament with the civilization of Christen- 
dom, nor the Koran with the records and destinies of Islam, than 
are these two Sanskrit poems with that unchanging and teeming 
population which Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, rules as Empress 
of Hindustan. The stories, songs, and ballads ; the histories and 



6 PREFACE. 

genealogies ; the nursery tales and religious discourses ; the art, 
the learning, the philosophy, the creeds, the moralities, the modes 
of thought, the very phrases, sayings, turns of expression, and 
daily ideas of the Hindu people are taken from these poems. 
Their children and their wives are named out of them ; so are 
their cities, temples, streets, and cattle. They have constituted 
the library, the newspaper, and the Bible — generation after gen- 
eration — for all the succeeding and countless millions of Indian 
people ; and it replaces patriotism with that race, and stands in- 
stead of nationality, to possess these two precious and inexhausti- 
ble books, and to drink from them as from mighty and overflowing 
rivers. The value ascribed in Hindustan to these too little- 
known epics has transcended all literary standards established 
in the West. They are personified, worshipped, and cited as being 
something divine. To read or even listen to them is thought by 
the devout Hindu sufficiently meritorious to bring prosperity to 
his household here, and happiness in the next world; they are 
held also to give wealth to the poor, health to the sick, wisdom to 
the ignorant ; and the recitation of certain parvus and shlokas in 
them can fill the household of the barren, it is believed, with chil- 
dren. A concluding passage of the great poem says : — 

" ' The reading of this Mahabharata destroys all sin and pro- 
duces virtue ; so much so, that the pronunciation of a single 
shloka is sufficient to wipe away much guilt. This Mahabharata 
contains the history of the gods, of the Rishis in heaven and those 
on earth, of the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas. It also contains 
the life and actions of the one God, holy, immutable, and true, — 
who is Krishna, who is the creator and the ruler of this universe ; 
who is seeking the welfare of his creation by means of his incom- 
parable and indestructible power ; whose actions are celebrated by 
all sages ; who has bound human beings in a chain, of which one 
end is life and the other death j on whom the Rishis meditate, and 



PREFACE. 7 

a knowledge of whom imparts unalloyed happiness to their hearts, 
and for whose gratification and favor all the daily devotions are 
performed by all worshippers. If a man reads the Mahabharata 
and has faith in its doctrines, he is free from all sin, and ascends 
to heaven after his death.' " 

The present volume contains such translations as I 
have from time to time made out of this prodigious epic, 
which is seven-fold greater in bulk than the Iliad and 
Odyssey taken together. All the stories here extracted 
are new to English literature, with the exception of a few 
passages of the Savitri and the " Nala and Damayanti," 
which was long ago most faithfully rendered by Dean 
Milman, the version being published side by side with 
a clear and excellent Sanskrit text edited by Professor 
Monier Williams, C. I. E. But that presentation of the 
beautiful and brilliant legend — with all its conspicuous 
merits — seems better adapted to aid the student than 
adequately to reproduce the swift march of narrative, 
and old-world charm of the Indian tale, which I, also, 
have therefore ventured to transcribe ; with all deference 
and gratitude to my predecessors. 

I beheve certain portions of the mighty poem which 
here appear, and many other episodes, to be of far greater 
antiquity than has been ascribed to the Mahabharata 
generally. Doubtless the "two hundred and twenty 
thousand hnes " of the entire compilation contain in 



8 PREFACE. 

many places little and large additions and corrections, 
interpolated in Brahmanic or post-Buddhistic times ; and 
he who ever so slightly explores this poetical ocean will, 
indeed, perceive defects, excrescences, differences, and 
breaks of artistic style or structure. But in the simpler 
and nobler sections the Sanskrit verse (ofttimes as musical 
and highly wrought as Homer's own Greek) bears, as I 
think, testimony — by evidence too long and recondite 
for citation here — to an origin anterior to writing, ante- 
rior to Puranic theology, anterior to Homer, perhaps 
even to Moses. 

EDWIN ARNOLD. 

London, August, 1883. 



CONTENTS. 



— » i 



PAGE 



A A 



Savitri ; OR, Love and Death 13 

Nala and Damayanti 53 

The Enchanted Lake 212 

The Saint's Temptation 236 

The Birth of Death . .- 251 

The Night of Slaughter .^ . . 270 

The Great Journey 277 

The Entry into Heaven 299 



"The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it, 
But in another country — as he said — 
Bore a bright golden flower, — if not in this soil." 

Milton's Comics. 

'Pi^J] y^^v fiekav €crK€, yaXaicrt be eiiceXov ai>3os, 
Ma)\v de ynv KaXiovai 6eol ' ■)(ak€TTov be r' opvacreLV 
^AvbpdaL ' 

Homer's Odyssey, 



I 



INDIAN IDYLLS. 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 



(FROM THE J^AiVA PARVA OF THE MAHABHARATA. 
Page 803, line 16616. Calcutta Quarto Edition.) 



^^ I mourn not for myself,^'' quoth Yudhisthir, 
" Nor for my hero-brothers ; but because 
Draupadi hath been taken from us 7iow. 
Never was seen or known another such, 
As queeftly, true, and faithful to her vows, 
As Draupadiy 

Then said Marka?idya : 
" Wilt thou hear, Prince, of such another soul, 
Wherein the nobleness of Draupadi 
Dwelt, of old days, — the Princess Sdvitrt ? " 



14 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

There was a Raja, pious-minded, just, — 
King of the Madras, — valiant, wise, and true ; 
Victorious over sense, a worshipper j 
Liberal in giving, prudent, dear alike 
To peasant and to townsman ; one whose joy- 
Lived in the weal of all men — Aswapati — 
Patient, and free of any woe, he reigned, 
Save that his manhood passing, left him lone, 
A childless lord ; for this he grieved ; for this 
Heavy observances he underwent. 
Subduing needs of flesh, and oftentimes 
Making high sacrifice to Savitri ; 
While, for all food, at each sixth watch he took 
A little measured dole ; and thus he did 
Through sixteen years, (most excellent of Kings !) 
Till at the last, divinest Savitri 
Grew well-content, and, taking shining shape. 
Rose through the flames of sacrifice and showed 
Unto that prince her heavenly countenance. 
"Raja," the Goddess said — the Gift-bringer — 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 15 

" Thy piety, thy purity, thy fasts. 

The largesse of thy hands, thy heart's wide love. 

Thy strength of faith, have pleased me. Choose some 

boon. 
Thy dearest wish, Monarch of Madra, ask ; 
It is not meet such merit go in vain." 

The Raja answered : " Goddess, for the sake 
Of children I did bear these heavy vows : 
If thou art well- content, grant me, I pray, 
Fair babes, continuers of my royal line ; 
This is the boon I choose, obeying law : 
For — say the holy seers — the first great law 
Is that a man leave seed." 

The Goddess said : 
" I knew thine answer, Raja, ere it came ; 
And He, the Maker of all, hath heard my word 
That this might be. The self- existent One 
Consenteth. Born there shall be unto thee 



1 6 - INDIAN IDYLLS. 

A girl more sweet than any eyes have seen ; . 
There is not found on earth so fair a maid ! 
I that rejoice in the Great Father's will 
Know this and tell thee." 

" Oh, so may it be ! " 
The Raja cried, once and again ; and she, 
The Goddess, smiled anew, and vanished so ; 
While Aswapati to his palace went. 
There dwelled he, doing justice to all folk ; 
Till, when the hour was good, the wise King lay 
With her that was his first and fairest wife. 
And she conceived a girl (a girl, .my liege ! 
Better than many boys), which wonder grew 
In darkness, — as the Moon among the stars 
Grows from a ring of silver to a round 
In the month's waxing days, — and when time came 
The Queen a daughter bore, with lotus-eyes. 
Lovely of mould. Joyous that Raja made 
The birth-feast ; and because the fair gift fell 



1 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 1 7 

From Savitri the Goddess, and because 
It was her day of sacrifice, they gave 
The name of " Savitri " unto the child. 

In' grace and beauty grew the maid, as if 
Lakshmi's own self had taken woman's form. 
And when swift years her gracious youth made ripe, 
Like to an image of dark gold she seemed 
Gleaming, with waist so fine, and breasts so deep, 
And limbs so rounded. When she moved, all eyes 
Gazed after her, as though an Apsara 
Had lighted out of Swarga. Not one dared, 
Of all the noblest lords, to ask for wife 
That miracle, with eyes purple and soft 
As lotus-petals, that pure perfect maid. 
Whose face shed heavenly light where she did go. 

Once she had fasted, laved her head, and bowed 
Before the shrine of Agni, — as is meet, — 
And sacrificed, and spoken what is set 



1 8 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Unto the Brahmans — taking at their hands 

The unconsumed offerings, and so passed 

Into her father's presence — bright as 'Sri, 

If 'Sri were woman ! — Meekly at his feet 

She laid the blossoms ; meekly bent her head, 

Folded her palms, and stood, radiant with grace, 

Beside the Raja. He, beholding her 

Come to her growth, and thus divinely fair, 

Yet sued of none, was grieved at heart and spake : 

" Daughter, 't is time we wed thee, but none comes 

Asking thee ; therefore, thou thyself some youth 

Choose for thy lord, a virtuous prince : whoso 

Is dear to thee, he shall be dear to me ; 

For this the rule is by the sages taught — 

Hear the commandment, noble maid — ' That sire 

Who giveth not his child in marriage 

Is blamable ; and blamable that king 

Who weddeth not ; and blamable that son 

Who, when his father dieth, guardeth not 

His mother.' Heeding this," the Raja said. 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 19 

" Haste thee to choose, and so choose that I bear 
No guilt, dear child, before the all-seeing Gods." 

Thus spake he ; from the royal presence then 
Elders and ministers dismissing. She, — 
Sweet Savitri, — low lying at his feet, 
With soft shame heard her father, and obeyed. 

Then, on a bright car mounting, companied 
By ministers and sages, Savitri 

Journeyed through groves and pleasant woodland-towns 
Where pious princes dwelled, in every spot 
Paying meet homage at the Brahmans' feet ; 
And so from forest unto forest passed, 
In all the Tirthas making offerings : 
Thus did the Princess visit place by place. 



The King of Madra sat among his lords 
With Narada beside him, counselling : 
When — (son of Bharat !) entered Savitri ; 



20 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

From passing through each haunt and hermitage, 

Returning with those sages. At the sight 

Of Narad seated by the Raja's side, 

Humbly she touched the earth before their feet 

With bended forehead. 

Then spake Narada : 
" Whence cometh thy fair child ? and wherefore, King, 
Being so ripe in beauty, giv'st thou not 
The Princess to a husband? " 

" Even for that • 
She journeyed," quoth the Raja ; " being come, 
Hear for thyself, great Rishi, what high lord 
My daughter chooseth." Then, being bid to speak 
Of Narad and the Raja, Savitri 
Softly said this : " In Chalva reigned a prince. 
Lordly and just, Dyumutsena named. 
Blind, and his only son not come to age ; 
And this sad king an enemy betrayed 
Abusing his infirmity, whereby 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 21 

Of throne and kingdom was that king bereft ; 
And with his queen and son, a banished man, 
He fled into the wood ; and, 'neath its shades, 
A life of holiness doth daily lead. 
This Rajar's son, born in the court, but bred 
'Midst forest peace, — royal of blood, and named 
Prince Satyavan, — to him my choice is given." 

" Aho ! " cried Narad, " evil is this choice 
Which Savitri hath made, who, knowing not, 
Doth name the noble Satyavan her lord : 
For, noble is the Prince, sprung of a pair 
So just and faithful found in word and deed 
The Brahmans styled him ' Truth-born ' at his birth. 
Horses he loved, and ofttimes would he mould 
Coursers of clay, or paint them on the wall ; 
Therefore ^ Chitras'wa ' was he also called." 

Then spake the King : " By this he shall have grown — 
Being of so fair birth — either a prince 
Of valor, or a wise and patient saint." 



I 



22 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Quoth Narad : ** Like the sun is Satyavan 
For grace and glory ; hke Vrihaspati 
For counsel ; like Mahendra's self for might ; 
And hath the patience of th' all-bearing earth." 

" Is he a hberal giver? " asked the King ; 
" Loveth he virtue ? wears he noble airs ? 
Goeth he like a prince, with sweet proud looks? " 

" He is as glad to give, if he hath store, 
As Rantideva," Narada replied. 
" Pious he is ; and true as Shivi was, 
The son of Usinara ; fair of form 
(Yayati was not fairer) ; sweet of looks 
(The Aswins not more gracious) ; gallant, kind, 
Reverent, self-governed, gentle, equitable. 
Modest, and constant. Justice lives in him, 
And Honor guides. Those who do love a man 
Praise him for manhood ; they that seek a saint 
Laud him for purity, and passions tamed." 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 23 

"A prince thou showest us," the Raja said, 
" All virtues owning. Tell me of some faults, 
If fault he hath." 

" None lives," quoth Narada, • 
'^ But some fault mingles with his qualities ; 
And Satyavan bears that he cannot mend. 
The blot which spoils his brightness, the defect 
Forbidding yonder Prince, Raja, is this, — 
'T is fated he shall die after a year : 
Count from to-day one year, he perisheth ! " 

" My Savitri," the King cried ; " go, dear cliild, 
Some other husband choose. This hath one fault ; 
But huge it is, and mars all nobleness : 
At the year's end he dies ; — 't is Narad's word, 
Whom the gods teach." 

But Savitri replied : 
" Once falls a heritage ; once a maid yields 
Her maidenhood ; once doth a father say, 



24 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

' Choose, I abide thy choice.' These three things done, 

Are done forever. Be my Prince to live 

A year, or many years ; be he so great 

As Narada hath said, or less than this ; 

Once have I chosen him, and choose not twice ! 

My heart resolved, my mouth hath spoken it, 

My hand shall execute ; — this is my mind ! " 

Quoth Narad : ''Yea, her mind is fixed, O King, 
And none will turn her fi-om the path of truth ! 
Also the virtues of Prince Satyavan 
ShaU in no other man be found. Give thou 
Thy child' to him. I gainsay not." 

Therewith 
The Raja sighed : " Nay, what must be, must be. 
She speaketh sooth : and I will give my child, 
For thou our Guru art." 

Narada said : 
" Free be the gift of thy fair daughter, then ; 
May happiness yet light ! — Raja, I go." 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 25 

So went that sage, returning to his place ; 
And the King bade the nuptials be prepared. 



ITe bade that all things be prepared, — tlie robes, 
The golden cups ; and summoned priest and sage, 
Brahman and Rity-yaj and Purohit ; 
And, on a day named fortunate, set forth 
With Savitri. In the mid-wood they found 
Dyumutsena's sylvan court : the King, 
Alighting, paced with slow steps to the spot 
Where sat the blind lord underneath a sal, 
On mats woven of kusa grass. Then passed 
Due salutations ; worship, as is meet : — 
All courteously the Raja spake his name. 
All courteously the bhnd King gave to him 
Earth, and a seat, and water in a jar ; 
Then asked, ** What, Maharaja, bringeth thee?" 
And Aswapati, answering, told him all. 
With eyes fixed full upon Prince Satyavan 



26 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

He spake : " This is my daughter, Savitri ; 
Take her from me to be wife to thy son, 
According to the law; thou know'st the law." 
Dyumutsena said : " Forced from our throne, 
Wood-dwellers, hermits, keeping state no more, 
We follow right, and how would right be done 
If this most lovely lady we should house 
Here, in our woods, unfitting home for her? " 
Answered the Raja : " Grief and joy we know, 
And what is real and seeming, — she and I ; 
Nor fits this fear with our unshaken minds. 
Deny thou not the prayer of him who bows 
In friendhness before thee ; put not by 
His wish who comes well-minded unto thee ; 
Thy stateless state shows noble ; thou and I 
Are of one rank ; take then this maid of mine 
To be thy daughter, since she chooseth me 
Thy Satyavan for son." 

The blind lord spake : 
" It was of old my wish to grow akin. 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 27 

Raja, with thee, by marriage of our blood ; 

But ever have I answered to myself, 

' Nay, for thy realm is lost ; — forego this hope ! ' 

Yet now, so let it be, since so thou wilt ; 

My welcome guest thou art. Thy will is mine." 

Then gathered in the forest all those priests. 
And with due rites the royal houses bound 
By nuptial tie. And when the Raja saw 
His daughter, as befits a princess, wed, 
Home went he, glad. And glad was Satyavan, 
Winning that beauteous spouse, with all gifts rich ; 
And she rejoiced to be the wife of him. 
So chosen of her soul. But when her sire 
Departed, from her neck and arms she stripped 
Jewels and gold, and o'er her radiant form 
Folded the robe of bark and yellow cloth 
Which hermits use ; and all hearts did she gain 
By gentle actions, soft self-government. 
Patience, and peace. The Queen had joy of her 



28 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

For tender services and mindful cares ; 
The blind King took delight to know her days 
So holy, and her wise words so restrained ; 
And with her lord in sweet converse she lived 
Gracious and loving, dutiful and dear. 

But while in the deep forest softly flowed 
This quiet life of love and holiness, 
The swift moons sped ; and always in the heart 
Of Savitri, by day and night, there dwelt 
The words of Narada, — those dreadful words ! 



Now, when the pleasant days were passed, which brought 
The day of Doom, and Satyavan must die 
(For hour by hour the Princess counted them, 
Keeping the words of Narada in heart). 
Bethinking on the fourth noon he should die, 
She set herself to make the " Threefold Fast," 
Three days and nights foregoing food and sleep ; 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 29 

Which, when the King Dyumutsena heard, 

Sorrowful he arose, and spake her thus : 

" Daughter, a heavy task thou takest on ; 

Hardly the saintliest soul might such abide." 

But Sa^itri gave answer : " Have no heed ; 

What I do set myself I will perform ; 

The vow is made, and I shall keep the vow." 

" If it be made," quoth he, " it must be kept ; 

We cannot bid thee break thy word, once given." 

With that the King forbade not, and she sat 

Still, as though carved of wood, three days and nights. 

But when the third night passed, and brought the day 

Whereon her lord must die, she rose betimes, 

Made offering on the altar flames, and sang 

Softly the morning prayers ; then, with clasped palms 

Laid on her bosom, meekly came to greet 

4 

The King and Queen, and lowlily salute 

The gray-haired Brahman s. Thereupon those saints — 

Resident in the woods — made answer mild 

Unto the Princess : " Be it well with thee, 



30 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And with thy lord, for these good deeds of thine." 
" May it be well ! " she answered ; in her heart 
Full mournfully that hour of fate awaiting 
Foretold of Narad. 

Then they said to her : 
" Daughter, thy vow is kept. Come, now, and eat." 
But Savitri replied : " When the sun sinks 
This evening, I will eat, — that is my vow." 

So when they could not change her, afterward 
Came Satyavan, the Prince, bound for the woods. 
An axe upon his shoulder ; unto whom 
Wistfully spake the Princess : " Dearest Lord, 
Go not alone to-day ; let me come too ; 
I cannot be apart from thee to-day." 

" Why not ' to-day ' ? " quoth Satyavan. "The wood 
Is strange to thee. Beloved, and its paths 
Rough for thy tender feet ; besides, with fast 
Thy soft limbs faint ; how wilt thou walk with me ? " 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 31 

I am not weak nor weary," she replied, 
" And I can walk. Say me not nay, sweet Lord, 
I have so great a heart to go with thee." 

"If thou hast such good heart," answered the Prince, 
" I shall say yea ; but first entreat the leave 
Of those we reverence, lest a wrong be done." 

So, pure and dutiful, she sought that place 
Where sat the King and Queen, and, bending low, 
Murmured request : " My husband goeth straight 
To the great forest, gathering fruits and flowers ; 
I pray your leave that I may be with him. 
To make the Agnihotra sacrifice 
Fetcheth he those, and will not be gainsaid, 
But surely goeth. Let me go. A year 
Hath rolled since I did fare from th' hermitage 
To see our groves in bloom. I have much will 
To see them now." 

The old King gently said : 
" In sooth it is a year since she was given 



32 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

To be our son's wife, and I mind me not 
Of any boon the loving heart hath asked, 
Nor any one untimely word she spake ; 
Let it be as she prayeth. Go, my child ; 
Have care of Satyavan, and take thy way." 

So, being permitted of them both, she went, — 
That beauteous lady, — at her husband's side, 
With aching heart, albeit her face was bright. 
Flower-laden trees her large eyes lighted on, 
Green glades where pea-fowl sported, crystal streams, 
And soaring hills whose green sides burned with bloom, 
Which oft the Prince would bid her gaze upon ; 
But she as oft turned those great eyes from them 
To look on him, her husband, who must die, 
(For always in her mind were Narad's words). 
And so she walked behind him, guarding him, 
Bethinking at what hour her lord must die. 
Her true heart torn in twain, one half to him 
Close-cleaving, one half watching if Death come. 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 33 

Then, having reached where woodland fruits did grow, 
They gathered those, and filled a basket full ; 
And afterwards the Prince phed hard his axe, 
Cutting the sacred fuel. Presently 
There crept a pang upon him ; a fierce throe 
Burned through his brows, and, all a-sweat, he came 
Feebly to Savitri, and moaned : " O wife, 
I am thus suddenly too weak for work ; 
My veins throb, Savitri ; my blood runs fire ; 
It is as if a threefold fork were plunged 
Into my brain. Let me he down, fair Love ! 
Indeed, I cannot stand upon my feet." 

Thereon that noble lady, hastening near. 
Stayed him, that would have fallen, with quick arms ; 
And, sitting on the earth, laid her lord's head 
Tenderly in her lap. So bent she, mute. 
Fanning his face, and thinking 't was the day — 
The hour — which Narad named — the sure fixed date 
Of dreadful end — when, lo ! before her rose 

3 



34 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

A shade majestic. Red his garments were, 

His body vast and dark ; hke fiery suns 

The eyes which burned beneath his forehead-cloth ; 

Armed was he with a noose, awful of mien. 

This Form tremendous stood by Satyavan, 

Fixing its gaze upon him. At the sight 

The fearful Princess started to her feet. 

Heedfully laying on the grass his head, 

Up started she, with beating heart, and joined 

Her palms for supplication, and spake thus 

In accents tremulous : " Thou seem'st some god ; 

Thy mien is more than mortal ; make me know 

What god thou art, and what thy purpose here." 

And Yama said (the dreadful God of death) : 
" Thou art a faithful wife, O Savitri, 
True to thy vows, pious, and dutiful ; 
Therefore I answer thee. Yama I am ! 
This Prince, thy lord, lieth at point to die ; 
Him will I straightway bind and bear from life ; 
This is my office, and for this I come." 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 35 

|i Then Savitri spake sadly : " It is taught, 
Thy messengers are sent to fetch the dying ; 
Why is it, Mightiest, thou art come thyself ? " 

P In pity of her love, the Pitiless 

Answered, — the King of all the Dead replied : 
" This was a Prince unparalleled, thy lord ; 
Virtuous as fair, a sea of goodly gifts, 
Not to be summoned by a meaner voice 
Than Yama's own ; therefore is Yama come." 

With that the gloomy God fitted his noose, 
And forced forth from the Prince the soul of him — 
Subtile, a thumb in length — which being reft, 
Breath stayed, blood stopped, the body's grace was gone. 
And all life's warmth to stony coldness turned. 
Then, binding it, the Silent Presence bore 
Satyavan's soul away toward the South. 

But Savitri the Princess followed him ; 
Being so bold in wifely purity, 



S6 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

So holy by her love ; and so upheld, 
She followed him. 

Presently Yama turned. 
" Go back," quoth he ; " pay him the funeral dues. 
Enough, O Savitri ! is wrought for love ; 
Go back ! too far already hast thou come." 

Then Savitri made answer : " I must go 
Where my lord goes, or where my lord is borne ; 
Nought other is my duty. Nay, I think, 
By reason of my vows, my services 
Done to the Gurus, and my faultless love, 
Grant but thy grace, I shall unhindered go. 
The sages teach that to walk seven steps, 
One with another, maketh good men friends ; 
Beseech thee, let me say a verse to thee : — 

^e master of thyself if thou wilt be 
Servant of Duty. Such as thou shall see 
Not self-subduing, do no deeds of good 
In youth or age, in household or in wood. 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 37 

But wise men know that virtue is best bliss, 
And all by some one way may reach to this. 
It needs not men should pass through orders four 
To come to knowledge : doing right is more 
Than any learning ; therefore sages say 
Best and most excellent is Virtue's way,^^ 

Spake Yama then : " Return ! yet I am moved 
By those soft words ; justly their accents fell, 
And sweet and reasonable was their sense. 
See, now, thou faultless one. Except this Hfe 
I bear away, ask any boon from me ; 
It shall not be denied." 

Savitri said : 
" Let, then, the King, my husband's father, have 
His eyesight back, and be his strength restored. 
And let him live anew, strong as the sun." 

" I give this gift," Yama replied : " thy wish. 
Blameless, shall be fulfilled. But now go back ; 



SS INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Already art thou wearied, and our road 

Is hard and long. Turn back, lest thou, too, die." 

The Princess answered : " Weary am I not, 
So I walk nigh my lord. Where he is borne. 
Thither wend I. Most mighty of the gods, 
I follow whereso'er thou takest him. 
A verse in writ on this, if thou wouldst hear : — 

There is nought better than to he 
With noble souls in company : 
There is nought dearer than to wend 
With good /friends faithful to the end. 
This is the love whose fruit is sweet; 
The?'efore to bide therein is meet.^^ 

Spake Yama, smiling : " Beautiful ! thy words 
Delight me ; they are excellent, and teach 
Wisdom unto the wise, singing soft truth. 
Look, now ! except the Hfe of Satyavan, 
Ask yet another — any — boon from me." 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 39 

Savitri said : " Let, then, the pious King, 
My husband's father, who hath lost his throne, 
Have back the Raj ; and let him rule his realm 
In happy righteousness. This boon I ask." 

" He shall have back the throne," Yama replied, 
" And he shall reign in righteousness : these things 
Will surely fall. But thou, gaining thy wish, 
Return anon ; so shalt thou 'scape sore ill." 

" Ah, awful God ! who hold'st the world in leash," 
The Princess said, " restraining evil men, 
And leading good men, — even unconscious, — there 
Where they attain, hear yet these famous words : — 

The constant virtues of the good are tenderness and love 
To all that lives — in earth, air, sea — great, small — 

below, above ; 
Compassiofiate of heart, they keep a gentle thozightfor each, 
Kind in their actions, mild in will, and pitiful of speech ; 



40 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Whopitieth not he hath not faith ; full many ajt one so lives , 
But when an enemy seeks help the good mart gladly gives P 

" As water to the thirsting," Yama said, 
" Princess, thy words melodious are to me. 
Except the hfe of Satyavan thy lord. 
Ask one boon yet again, for I will grant." 

Answer made Savitri : " The King, my sire, 
Hath no male child. Let him see many sons 
Begotten of his body, who may keep 
The royal Hne long regnant. This I ask." 

" So it shall be ! " the Lord of death replied ; 
" A hundred fair preservers of his race 
Thy sire shall boast. But this wish being won, 
Return, dear Princess ; thou hast come too far." 

" It is not far for me," quoth Savitri, 
" Since I am near my husband ; nay, my heart 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 41 

Is set to go as far as to the end ; 

But hear these other verses, if thou wilt : — 

By that sunlit name thou hearest, 
Thou, Vaivaswata / art dearest ; 
Those that as their Lord proclaim thee, 
King of Righteousness do name thee : 
Better than the^nselves the wise 
Trust the righteous. Each relies 
Most upoji the good, and makes 
Friendship with them, Friejidship takes 
Fear fro7n hearts ; yet friends betray, 
In good men we may trust alway.^^ 

"Sweet lady/' Yama said, "never were words 
Spoke better ; never truer heard by ear ; 
Lo ! I am pleased with thee. Except this soul, 
Ask one gift yet again, and get thee home." 

" I ask thee, then," quickly the Princess cried, 
" Sons, many sons, bom of my body : boys ; 



42 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Satyavan's children ; lovely, valiant, strong ; 
Continuers of their line. Grant this, kind God." 

" I grant it," Yama answered ; " thou shalt bear 
Those sons thy heart desireth, valiant, strong. 
Therefore go back, that years be given thee. 
Too long a path thou treadest, dark and rough." 

But, sweeter than before, the Princess sang : — 

" I/i paths of peace and virtue 
Always the good remain ; 
And sorrow shall not stay with them, 
Nor long access of pain ; 
At meeting or at parting 
Joys to their bosom strike ; 
For good to good is friendly ^ 
And virtue loves her like. 
The great sun goes his journey 
By their strong truth i?npelled; 
By their pure lives arid penances 
Is earth itself upheld; 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 43 

Of all which live or shall live 

UpoJi its hills and fields, 
Pure hearts are the ^ protectors^ 
For virtue saves and shields, 

" Never are noble spirits 
Poor while their like survive; 
True love has getns to rettdery 
And virtue wealth to give. 
Never is lost or wasted 
The goodness of the good; 
Never against a mercy, 
Against a right, it stood; 
And seeing this, that virtue 
Is always friend to all, 
The virtuous and true-hearted, 
Me7t their ^protectors ' call,''^ 

" Line for line. Princess ! as thou sangest so," 
Quoth Yama, " all that lovely praise of good, 



44 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Grateful to hallowed minds, lofty in sound, 
And couched in dulcet numbers — word by word — 
Dearer thou grew'st to me. O thou great heart, 
Perfect and firm ! ask any boon from me, — 
Ask an incomparable boon ! " 

She cried 
Swiftly, no longer stayed : " Not heaven I crave, 
Nor heavenly joys, nor bliss incomparable, 
Hard to be granted even by thee ; but himy 
My sweet lord's Hfe, without which I am dead ; 
Give me that gift of gifts ! I will not take 
Aught less without him, — not one boon, — no praise, 
No splendors, no rewards, — not even those sons 
Whom thou didst promise. Ah, thou wilt not, now. 
Bear hence the father of them, and my hope ! 
Make thy free word good ; give me Satyavan 
Alive once more." 

And thereupon the God — 
The Lord of Justice, high Vaivaswata — 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 45 

Loosened the noose and freed the Prince's soul, 

And gave it to the lady, saying this, 

With eyes grown tender : " See, thou sweetest queen 

Of women, brightest jewel of thy kind ! 

Here i§ thy husband. He shall live and reign 

Side by side with thee, — saved by thee, — in peace, 

And fame, and wealth, and health, many long years ; 

For pious sacrifices world-renowned. 

Boys shalt thou bear to him, as I did grant, — 

Kshatriya kings, fathers of kings to be, 

Sustainers of thy line. Also, thy sire 

Shall see his name upheld by sons of sons, 

Like the immortals, vaHant, Malavas." 

These gifts the awful Yama gave, and went 
Unto his place ; but Savitri — made glad. 
Having her husband's soul — sped to the glade 
Where his corse lay. She saw it there, and ran. 
And, sitting on the earth, lifted its head. 
And lulled it on her lap full tenderly. 



46 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Thereat warm life returned : the white hps moved ; 
The fixed eyes brightened, gazed, and gazed again ; 
As when one starts from sleep and sees a face — 
The well-beloved's — grow clear, and, smihng, wakes, 
So Satyavan. " Long have I slumbered, Dear," 
He sighed, " why didst thou not arouse me ? Where 
Is gone that gloomy man that haled at me? " 
Answered the Princess : " Long, indeed, thy sleep. 
Dear Lord, and deep ; for he that haled at thee 
Was Yama, God of Death : but he is gone ; 
And thou, being rested and awake, rise now, 
If thou canst rise ; for, look, the night is near ! " 

Thus, newly living, newly waked, the Prince 
Glanced all around upon the blackening groves. 
And whispered : " I came forth to pluck the fruits, 
O slender-waisted, with thee : then, some pang 
Shot through my temples while I hewed the wood. 
And I lay down upon thy lap, dear wife. 
And slept. This do I well remember. Next — 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 47 

Was it a dream, — that vast, dark, mighty One 
Whom I beheld ? Oh, if thou saw'st and know'st, 
Was it in fancy, or in truth, he came? " 

Softly she answered : " Night is falling fast ; 
To-morrow I will tell thee all, dear Lord. 
Get to thy feet, and let us seek our home. 
Guide us, ye Gods ! the gloom spreads fast around ; 
The creatures of the forest are abroad, 
Which roam and cry by night. I hear the leaves 
Rustle with beasts that creep. I hear tliis way 
The yells of prowling jackals ; beasts do haunt 
In the southern wood ; their noises make me fear." 

" The wood is black with shadows," quoth the Prince ; 
" You would not know the path ; you could not see it ; 
We cannot go." 

She said : " There was to-day 
A fire within this forest, and it burned 
A withered tree ; yonder the branches flame. 



48 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

I '11 fetch a lighted brand and kindle wood : 
See ! there is fuel here. Art thou so vexed 
Because we cannot go ? Grieve not. The path 
Is hidden, and thy limbs are not yet knit. 
To-morrow, when the way grows clear, depart j 
But, if thou wilt, let us abide to-night." 

And Satyavan replied : ** The pains are gone 
Which racked my brow ; my limbs seem strong again ; 
Fain would I reach our home, if thou wilt aid. 
Ever betimes I have been wont to come 
At evening to the place where those we love 
Await us. Ah, what trouble they will know, 
Father and mother, searching now for us ! 
They prayed me hasten back. How they will weep, 
Not seeing me ; for there is none save me 
To guard them. ' Quick return,' they said ; * our Hves 
Live upon thine ; thou art our eyes, our breath. 
Our hope of lineage ; unto thee we look 
For funeral cakes, for mourning feasts, for all.* 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 49 

What will these do alone, not seeing me. 

Who am their stay ? Shame on the idle sleep 

And foolish dreams which cost them all this pain ! 

I cannot tarry here. My sire belike. 

Having no eyes, asks at this very hour 

News of me from each .one that walks the wood. 

Let us depart. Not, Savitri, for us 

Think I, but for those reverend ones at home. 

Mourning me now. If they fare well, 't is well 

With me ; if ill, nought 's well ; what would please them 

Is wise and good to do." 

Thereat he beat 
Faint hands, eager to go ; and Savitri, 
Seeing him weeping, wiped his tears away. 
And gently spake : " If I have kept the fast, 
Made sacrifices, given gifts, and wrought 
Service to holy men, may this black night 
Be bright to those and thee ; for we will go. 
I think I never spoke a false word once 

4 



50 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

In all my life, not even in jest ; I pray 

My truth may help to-night them, thee, and me ! " 

" Let us set forth," he cried ; " if any harm 
Hath fallen on those so dear, I could not live ; 
I swear it by my soul ! As thou art sweet. 
Helpful, and virtuous, aid me to depart." 

Then Savitri arose, and tied her hair. 
And lifted up her lord upon his feet ; 
Who, as he swept the dry leaves from his cloth, 
Looked on the basket full of fruit. " But thou," 
The Princess said, " to-morrow shalt bring these ; 
Give me thine axe, the axe is good to take." 
So saying, she hung the basket on a branch. 
And in her left hand carrying the axe. 
Came back, and laid his arm across her neck, 
Her right arm winding round him. So they went. 

• • • • • 

\The story concludes happily. Whilst the Prince and 
Princess find a path through the shades of the forest, the 



SAVITRI; OR, LOVE AND DEATH. 51 

Khig, Dyumutsefta, much afflicted at their absence, is 
sudde?ily restored to sight, and becomes consoled by his 
Rishis, who are convinced that Satyavan and Sdvitrt will 
return safe and well. Before dawn the absejit pair do, 
indeed^ coi7ie back ; and, being eagerly questioned, the Prince 
is unable to explain what has befallen, but Sdvitrt relates 
it all, telli?tg how Narada had foreseen that her husband 
must die, and how she had kept the " Threefold Fast,''^ and 
gone with Imn to the wood, in order to avert his doom. 
Whilst the Rishis are praising the virtuous Princess, and 
loudly declarijig that her piety and courage have conquered 
Death hi77iself^ messengers arrive frojn Dyumutsend' s 
city, atmouncing that the usurper has beefi overthrown 
there, a?id Satyavan'' s father re-proclaimed as King. 
Dyumutsena accordingly returns in triumph to his capital, 
with his Queen, with Sdvitrt, and with her husband, and 
all the good fortunes promised them by Yama duly arrive. 
Markandy a finishes the narratioti by saying — ] 

So did fair Savitri from Yama save 
Her lord, and all his house to glory lead. 
And Draupadi — as wise and beautiful — 
Shall, like that Princess, (O great Yudhisthir !) 
Bring you past bitter seas to blessed shores. 



52 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Then was the Prince of Pandavas consoled. 
He, also, who shall read with heart intent 
Savitri's holy story, will wax glad, 
And know that all fares well, and suffer nought. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 



(FROM THE VAIVA PARVA OF THE MAHABHARATA. 
Line 2073. Calcutta Quarto edition.) 



^\ PRINCE there was, named Nala, Virasen's noble 

breed, 
Goodly to see, and virtuous ; a tamer of the steed ; 
As Indra 'midst the gods, so he of kings was kingliest 

one. 
Sovereign of men, and splendid as the golden, glittering 

sun; 
Pure, knowing scripture, gallant ; ruling nobly Nishadh's 

lands ; 
Dice-loving, but a proud, true chief of her embattled 

bands ; 
By lovely ladies lauded ; free, trained in self-control ; 
A shield and bow ; a Manu on earth ; a royal soul ! 



I 



54 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And in Vidarbha's city the Raja Bhima dwelled ; 

Save offspring, from his perfect bliss no blessing was with 
held; 

For offspring, many a pious rite full patiently he wrought, 

Till Damana the Brahman unto his house was brought. 

Him Bhima, ever reverent, did courteously entreat. 
Within the Queen's paviHon led him, to rest and eat ; 
Whereby that sage, grown grateful, gave her — for joy of 

joys — 
A girl, the gem of girlliood, and three brave, lusty boys,— - 
Damana, Dama, Dtinta, their names ; — Damayanti she ; 
No daughter more delightful, no sons could goodlier be. 

Stately and bright and beautiful did Damayanti grow ; 
No land there was which did not the Slender-waisted 

know; 
A hundred slaves her fair form decked with robe and 

ornament ; 
Like Sachi's self to serve her a hundred virgins bent ; 
And 'midst them Bhima's daughter, in peerless glory dight. 



■i 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 55 

Gleamed as the lightning glitters against the murk of 

night ; 
Having the eyes of Lakshmi, long-lidded, black, and 

bright : 
Nay, — aever Gods, nor Yakshas, nor mortal men among 
Was one so rare and radiant e'er seen, or sued, or sung 
As she, the heart-consuming, in heaven itself desired. 

And Nala, too, of princes the Tiger- Prince, admired 
Like Kama was ; in beauty an embodied lord of love : 
And ofttimes Nala praised they all other chiefs above 
In Damayanti's hearing ; and oftentimes to him 
With worship and with wonder her beauty they would 

limn ; 
So that, unmet, unknowing, unseen, in each for each 
A tender thought of longing grew up from seed of speech ; 
And love (thou son of Kunti !) those gentle hearts did 

reach. 



56 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Thus Nala — hardly bearing in his heart 
Such longing — wandered in his palace- woods, 
And marked some water-birds, with painted plumes, 
Disporting. One, by stealthy steps, he seized ; 
But the sky- traveller spake to Nala this : 
" Kill me not, Prince, and I will serve thee well. 
For I, in Damayanti's ear, will say 
Such good of Nishadh's lord, that nevermore 
Shall thought of man possess her, save of thee." 

Thereat the Prince gladly gave liberty 
To his soft prisoner, and all the swans 
Flew, clanging, to Vidarbha, — a bright flock, — 
Straight to Vidarbha, where the Princess walked ; 
And there, beneath her eyes, those winged ones 
Lighted. She saw them sail to earth, and marked - — 
Sitting amid her maids — their graceful forms ; 
While those for wantonness 'gan chase the swans, 
Which fluttered this and that way tlirough the grove : 
Each girl with tripping feet her bird pursued. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 57 

And Damayanti, laughing, followed hers j 
Till — at the point to grasp — the flying prey 
Deftly eluding touch, spake as men speak. 
Addressing Bhima's daughter : — 

" Lady dear ! 
Loveliest Damayanti ! Nala dwells 
In near Nishadha : oh, a noble Prince, 
Not to be matched of men ; an A^win he, 
For goodliness. Incomparable maid ! 
Wert thou but wife to that surpassing chief, 
Rich would the fruit grow from such lordly birth, 
Such peerless beauty. Slender-waisted one, 
Gods, men, and Gandharvas have we beheld, 
But never none among them like to him. 
As thou art pearl of princesses, so he 
Is crown of princes ; happy would it fall, 
One such perfection should another wed." 

And when she heard that bird, (O King of men !) 
The Princess answered : " Go, dear swan, and tell 



58 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

This same to Nala ; " and the egg-born said, 
" I go ; " and flew ; and told the Prince of all. 



But Damayanti, having heard the bird, 
Lived fancy-free no more ; by Nala's side 
Her soul dwelt, while she sat at home disti'aught, 
Mournful and wan, sighing the hours away. 
With eyes upcast, and passion-laden looks ; 
So that, eftsoons, her limbs failed, and her mind — 
With love o'erweighted — found no rest in sleep. 
No grace in company, no joy at feasts. 
Nor night nor day brought peace ; always she heaved 
Sigh upon sigh, till all her maidens knew — 
By glance and mien and moan — how changed she was, 
Her own sweet self no more. Then to the King 
They told how Damayanti loved the Prince. 
Which thing when Bhima from her maidens heard. 
Deep pondering for his child what should be done, 
And why the Princess was beside herself, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 59 

That lord of lands perceived his daughter grown, 
And knew that for her liigh Swayamvara 
The time was come. 

So, to the Rajas all 
The King sent word : " Ye Lords of Earth, attend 
Of Damayanti the Swayamvara." 
And when these learned of her Swayamvara, 
Obeying Bhima, to his com"t they thronged, — 
Elephants, horses, cars, — over the land 
In full files wending, bearing flags and wreaths 
Of countless hues, with gallant companies 
Of fighting men. And those high-hearted chiefs 
The strong-armed King welcomed with worship fair, 
As fitted each, and led them to their seats. 

Now at that hour there passed towards Indra's heaven. 
Thither from earth ascending, those twain saints, — 
The wise, the pure, the mighty-minded ones. 
The self-restrained, — Narad and Parvata. 



6o INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The mansion of the Sovereign of the Gods 
In honor entered they ; and he, the Lord 
Of Clouds, dread Indra, softly them salutes, 
Inquiring of their weal, and of the world 
Wherethrough their name was famous, how it fares. 

Then Narad said : " Well is it, Lord of Gods, 
With us, and with our world ; and well with those 
Who rule the peoples, O thou King in Heaven ! " 

But He that slew the Demons spake again : 
" The princes of the earth, just-minded, brave, 
Those who, in battle fearing not to fall, 
See death on the descending blade, and charge 
Full front against it, turning not their face, — 
Theirs is this realm eternal, as to me 
The cow of plenty, Kamadhuk, belongs. 
Where be my Kshatriya warriors ? Wherefore now 
See I none coming of those slaughtered lords. 
Chiefs of mankind, our always honored guests?" 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 6l 

And unto Indra Narad gave reply : 
" King of the Air ! no wars are waged below ; 
None fall in fight, to enter here. The Lord 
Of high Vidarbha hath a daughter, famed 
For ioveliness beyond all earthly maids, 
The Princess Damayanti, far-renowned. 
Of her, dread Sakra ! the Swayamvara 
Shall soon befall, and thither now repair 
The kings and princes of all lands, to woo — 
Each for himself — this pearl of womanhood. 
For oh, thou Slayer of the Demons, all 
Desire the maid." 

Drew round, while Narad spake, 
The Masters, th' Immortals, pressing in 
With Agni and the Greatest, near the throne. 
To hsten to the speech of Narada ; 
Whom having heard, all cried delightedly, 
" We, too, will go." Thereupon those high gods, 
With chariots, and with heavenly retinues, 



62 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Sped to Vidarbha, where the kings were met. 
And Nala, knowing of this kingly tryst, 
Went thither joyous, heart-full with the thought 
Of Damayanti. 

Thus it chanced the gods 
Beheld the Prince wending along his road. 
Goodly of mien, as is the Lord of Love. 
The world's Protectors saw him, like a sun 
For splendor ; and, in very wonder, paused 
Some time irresolute, so fair he was ; 
Then in mid-sky their golden chariots stayed, 
And through the clouds descending called to him ; 
^' Bho ! Nala of Nishadha ! Noblest Prince, 
Be herald for us ; beai- our message now." 



" Yea ! " Nala made reply, " this will I do ; " 
And then — palm unto palm in reverence pressed — 
Asked : " Shining Ones, who are ye ? Unto whom, 
And what words bearing, will ye that I go ? 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 6$ 

Deign to instruct me what it is ye bid." 

Thus the Prince spake, and Indra answered him : 

" Thou seest th' immortal gods. Indra am I, 

And this is Agni, and the other here, 

Varuna, i^ord of Waters ; and beyond, 

Yama, the King of Death, who parteth souls 

From mortal frames. To Damayanti go ; 

Tell our approach. Say this : ' The world's dread lords, 

Wishful to see thee, come ; desiring thee, — 

Indra, Varuna, Agni, Yama, all. 

Choose of these powers to which thou wilt be given.' 

But Nala, hearing that, joined paims again. 

And cried : " Ah, send me not, with one accord 

For this, most mighty Gods ! How should a man 

Sue for another, being suitor too ? 

How bear such errand? Have compassion, Gods ! " 

Then spake they : "Yet thou saidst, 'This shall I do,' 
Nishadha's Prince ! and wilt thou do it not. 
Forswearing faith? Nay, but depart, and soon ! " 



64 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

So bfd, but lingering yet again, he said : 
" Well guarded are the gates ; how shall I find 
Speech with her? " 

" Thou shalt find," Indra replied. 
And, lo ! upon that word Nala was brought' 
To Damayanti's chamber. There he saw 
Vidarbha's glory, sitting 'mid her maids, 
In majesty and grace surpassing all ; 
So exquisite, so delicate of form. 
Waist so fine-turned, such limbs, such lighted eyes. 
The moon hath meaner radiance than she. 
Love at the sight of that soft smiling face 
Sprang to full passion, while he stood and gazed. 
Yet, faith and duty urging, he restrained 
His beating heart ; but when those beauteous maids 
Spied Nala, from their cushions they uprose. 
Startled to see a man, yet startled more 
Because he showed so heavenly bright and fair. 
In wondering pleasure each saluted him. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 65 

Uttering no sound, but murmuring to themselves : 
" Aho ! the grace of him ; aho ! the brilliance ; 
Aho ! what glorious strength lives in his limbs ! 
What is he ? Is he God, Gandharva, Yaksha ? " 
But this unspoken, for they dared not breathe 
One syllable, all standing shyly there " 
To see liim, and to see his youth so sweet. 
Yet, softly glancing back to his soft glance, 
The Princess, presently, with fluttering breath. 
Accosted Nala, saying : " Fairest Prince, 
Who by thy faultless form hath filled my heart 
With sudden joy, coming as come the gods. 
Unstayed, I crave to know thee, who thou art ; 
How didst thou enter ? how wert thou unseen ? 
Our palace is close-guarded, and the King 
Hath issued mandates stem." 

Tenderly spake 
• The Prince, replying to those tender words : 
" Most lovely ! I am Nala. I am come 

5 



66 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

A herald of the gods unto thee here. 
The gods desire thee, the immortal Four, — 
Indra, Varuna, Yama, Agni. Choose, 
O Brightest ! one from these to be thy lord- 
By their help is it I have entered in 
Unseen ; none could behold me at thy gates, 
Nor stay me, passing ; and to speak their will 
They sent me, fairest one and best. Do thou, 
Knowing the message, judge as seemeth well." 



She bowed her head, hearing the great gods named. 
And then, divinely smiling, said to him : 
" Pledge thyself faithfully to me, and I 
Will seek, O Raja, only how to pay 
That debt with all I am, with all I have ; 
For I and mine are thine, — in full trust thine. 
Make me that promise. Prince. Thy gentle name — 
Sung by the swan — first set my thoughts afire ; 
And for thy sake, — only for thee, — sweet Lord, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 67 

The kings were summoned hither. If, alas ! 
Fair Prince, thou dost reject my sudden love, 
So proffered, then must poison, flame, or flood, 
Or knitted cord, be my sad remedy." 

So spake Vidarbha's Pride ; and Nala said : 
" With gods so waiting, — with the world's dread lords 
Hastening to woo, canst thou desire a man ? 
Bethink ! I, unto these, that make and mar. 
These all-wise ones, almighty, am like dust 
Under their feet : Hft thy heart to the height 
Of what I bring. If mortal man offend 
The most high gods, death is what springs of it. 
Spare me to live, thou faultless lady ! Choose 
Which of these excellent great gods thou wilt ; 
Wear the unstained robes ! bear on thy brows 
The wreaths which never fade, of heavenly blooms ! 
Be, as thou mayst, a goddess, and enjoy 
Godlike delights ! Him who enfolds the earth, 
Creating and consuming. Brightest Power, 



68 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Hutasa, Eater of the Sacrifice, 

What woman would not take ? Or him whose rod 

Herds all the generations forward still 

On virtue's path, Red Yama, King of Death, 

What woman would affront ? Or him, the all-good, 

All-wise destroyer of the Demons, first 

In heaven, Mahendra, — who of womankind 

Is there that would not wed ? Or, if thy mind 

Incline, doubt not to choose Vamna ; he 

Is of these world-protectors. From a heart 

Full friendly cometh what I tell thee now." 

Unto Nishadha's Prince the maid replied, — 
Tears of distress dimming her lustrous eyes, — 
" Humbly I reverence these mighty gods ; 
But thee I choose, and thee I take for lord ; 
And this I vow ! " 

With folded palms she stood, 
And trembling lips, while his faint answer fell : 
" Sent on such embassy, how shall I dare 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 69 

Speak, sweetest Princess, for myself to thee ? 

Bound by my promise for the gods to sue, 

How can I be a suitor for myself? 

Silence is here my duty ; afterwards. 

If I shall eome, in mine own name I '11 come, 

Mine own cause pleading. Ah, might that so be ! " 

Checking her tears, Damayanti sadly smiled. 
And said full soft : " One way of hope I see, 
A blameless way, O Lord of men ! wherefrom 
No fault shall rise, nor any danger fall. 
Thou also. Prince, with Indra and these gods, 
Must enter in where my Swayamvara 
Is held j then I, in presence of those gods. 
Will choose thee, dearest, for my lord ; and so 
Blame shall not light on thee." 

With which sweet words 
Soft in his ears, Nishadha straight returned 
There where the gods were gathered, waiting him ; 



70 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Whom the world's masters, on his way, perceived, 

And, spying, questioned, asking for his news : 

" Saw'st thou her, Prince ? Didst see the sweet-lipped 

one? 
What spake she of us ? Tell us true ; tell all ! " 

Quoth Nala : " By your worshipful behest 
Sent to her house, the great gates entered I, 
Though the gray porters watched ; but none might spy 
My entering, by your power, O radiant Ones, 
Saving the Raja's daughter ; her I saw 
Amid her maidens, and by them was seen. 
On me with much amazement they did gaze 
Whibt I your high Divinities extolled. 
But she that hath the lovely face, with mind 
Set upon me, hath chosen me, ye Gods. 
For thus she spake, my Princess : ' Let them come, 
And come thou, like a lordly tiger, too, 
Unto the place of my Swayamvara ; 
There will I choose thee in their presence, Prince, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 71 

To be my lord ; and so there will not fall 

Blame, thou strong-armed ! to thee.' This she did say 

Even as I tell it ; and what shall be next. 

To will is yours, O ye immortal Ones ! " 



Soon, when the moon was good, and day and hour 
Were found propitious, Bhima, King of men. 
Summoned the chiefs to the Swayamvara ; 
Upon which message all those eager lords 
For love of Damayanti hastened there. 
Glorious with gilded pillars was the court. 
Whereto a gate-house opened, and thereby 
Into the square, hke lions from the hills, 
Paced the proud guests ; and there their seats they took, 
Each in his rank, the masters of the lands, 
With crowns of fragrant blossoms garlanded,^ 
And polished jewels swinging in their ears. 
1^ Of some the thews, knitted and rough, stood forth 
Like iron maces ; some had slender limbs. 



I 



72 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Sleek and fine-turned like the five-headed snake ; 
Lords with long- flowing hair ; glittering lords ; 
High-nosed, and eagle-eyed, and heavy-browed ; 
The faces of those kings shone in a ring 
As shine at night the stars ; and that great square 
As thronged with Rajas was as Naga-land 
Is full of serpents ; thick with warlike chiefs 
As mountain-caves with panthers. Unto these 
Entered, in matchless majesty of form, 
The Princess Damayanti. As she came, 
The glory of her ravished eyes and hearts. 
So that the gaze of all those haughty kings, 
Fastening upon her loveliness, grew fixed, — 
Not moving save with her, — step after step 
Onward and always following the maid. 

But while the styles and dignities of all 
Were cried aloud, (O son of Bharat !) lo ! 
The Princess marked five of that throng alike 
In form and garb and visage. There they stood, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 73 

Each from the next undifferenced, but each 

Nala's own self; — yet which might Nala be 

In no wise could that doubting maid descry. 

Who. took her eye seemed Nala while she gazed, 

Until she looked upon his like ; and so 

Pondered the lovely lady, sore-perplexed, 

Thinking, " How shall I tell which be the gods, 

And which is noble Nala? " Deep-distressed 

And meditative waxed she, musing hard 

What those signs were, delivered us of old, 

Whereby gods may be known : " Of all those signs 

Taught by our elders, lo ! I see not one 

Where stand yon five." So murmured she, and turned 

Over and over every mark she knew. 

At last, resolved to make the gods themselves 

Her help at need, with reverent air and voice 

Humbly saluted she those heavenly ones. 

And with joined palms and trembling accents spake : 

" As, when I heard the swans, I chose my Prince, 

By that sincerity I call ye, Gods, 



74 INDIAN IDYLLS. ' 

To show my Love to me and make me know ! 

As in my heart and soul and speech I stand 

True to my choice, by that sincerity 

I call the all-knowing gods to make me know ! 

As the high gods created Nishadh's chief 

To be my lord, by their sincerity 

I bid them show themselves, and make me know ! 

As my vow, sealed to him, must be maintained 

For his name, and for mine, I call the gods 

By such sincerity to make me know ! 

Let them appear, the masters of the world, — 

The high gods, — each one in his proper shape, 

That I may see Nishadha's chief, my choice, 

Whom minstrels praise, and Damayanti loves." 

Hearing that earnest speech, — so passion-fraught. 
So full of truth, of strong resolve, of love, 
Of singleness of soul and constancy, — 
Even as she spake, the gods disclosed themselves. 
• By well-seen signs the effulgent Ones she knew. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 75 

Shadowless stood they, with unwinking eyes, 
And skins which never moist with sweat ; their feet 
Light-gliding o'er the ground, not touching it ; 
Tlie imfading blossoms on their brows 7iot soiled 
By earthly dust, but ever fair and fresh. 
Whilst, by their side, garbed so and visaged so, 
But doubled by his shadow^ stained with dust, 
The flower-cups wittering in his wreath, his skin 
Pearly with sweat, his feet upon the earth. 
And eyes a-wink, stood Nala. One by one 
Glanced she on those divinities, then bent 
Her gaze upon the Prince, and, joyous, said : 
" I know thee, and I name my rightful lord, 
Taking Nishadha's chief." Therewith she drew 
Modestly nigh, and held him by the cloth. 
With large eyes beaming love, and round his neck 
Hung the bright chaplet, love's delicious crown ; 
So choosing him, — him only, — whom she named 
Before the face of all to be her lord. 



76 



INDIAN IDYLLS. 



Oh, then brake forth from all those suitors proud, 
" Ha ! " and " Aho ! " But from the gods and saints, 
" Sadhu ! well done ! well done I " And all admired 
The happy Prince, praising the grace of him ; 
While Virasena's son, delightedly, 
Spake to the slender-waisted these fond words : 
" Fair Princess ! since, before all gods and men. 
Thou makest me thy choice, right glad am I 
Of this thy mind, and true lord will I be. 
For so long, loveliest, as my breath endures, 
Thine am I ! Thus I plight my troth to thee." 
So, with joined palms, unto that beauteous maid 
His gentle faith he pledged, rejoicing her ; 
And, hand in hand, radiant with mutual love. 
Before great Agni and the gods they passed, 
The world's protectors worshipping. 



Then those, 
The lords of life, the powerful Ones, bestowed — 
Being well-pleased — on Nala, chosen so, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 77 

ISight noble boons. The boon which Indra gave 

Was grace, at times of sacrifice, to see 

The visible god approach, with step divine ; 

And Agni's boon was this, that he would come 

Whenever Nala called, — for everywhere 

Hutasa shineth, and all worlds are his ; 

Yama gave skill in cookery, steadfastness 

In virtue ; and Varuna, King of Floods, 

Bade all the waters ripple at his call. 

These boons the high gods doubled by the gift 

Of bright wreaths wove with magic blooms of heaven ; 

And those bestowed, ascended to their seats. 

Also with wonder and with joy returned 

The Rajas and the Maharajas all, 

Full of the marriage-feast ; for Bhima made, 

In pride and pleasure, stately nuptials ; 

So Damayanti and the Prince were wed. 

Then, having tarried as is wont, that lord — 
Nishadha's chief — took the King's leave, and went 



78 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Unto his city, bringing home with him 
His jewel of all womanhood, with whom 
Blissful he lived, as lives by Sachi's side 
The slayer of the Demons. Like a sun 
Shone Nala on his throne, ruling his folk 
In strength and virtue, guardian of his state. 
Also the As'wamedha Rite he made 
Greatest of rites, the Offering of the Horse, 
As did Yayati ; and all other acts 
Of worship ; and to sages gave rich gifts. 



Many dear days of much delicious love. 
In pleasant gardens and in shadowy groves. 
Passed they together, sojourning like gods. 
And Damayanti bore unto her lord 
A boy named Indrasen, and next, a girl 
Named Indrasena. So in happiness 
The good Prince governed, seeing all his lands 
Wealthy and well, in piety and peace. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 79 

Now at the choosing of Nishadha's chief 
By Bhima's daughter, when those lords of Hfe — 
The effulgent gods — departed, Dwapara 
They saw with Kali, coming. Indra said, — 
The Demon-slayer, — spying these approach : 
" Whither, with Dwapara, goest thou to-day, 

Kah? " And the sombre Shade repKed : 
" To Damayanti's high Swayamvara 

1 go, to make her mine, since she hath passed 
Into my heart." But Indra, laughing, said : 

" Ended is that Swayamvara ; for she 

Hath taken Raja Nala for her lord. 

Before us all." But Kah, hearing this, 

Brake into wrath — while he stood worshipping 

That band divine — and furiously cried : 

" If she hath set a man above the gods. 

To wed with him, for such sin let there fall 

D.oom, rightful, swift, and terrible, on her ! " 

" Nay," answered unto him those heavenly ones, 

" But Damayanti chose with our good will ; 



8o INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And what maid but would choose so fair a prince, 

Seeing he hath all qualities, and knows 

Virtue, and rightly practises the vows, 

And reads the four great Vedas, and, what 's next, 

The Holy Stories, whilst, perpetually. 

The gods are honored in his house with gifts ? 

No hurt he does, kind to all living things ; 

True of word is he, faithful, hberal, just ; 

Steadfast and patient, temperate and pure ; 

A king of men is Nala, like the gods. 

He that would curse a prince of such a mould. 

Thou foolish Kali, lays upon himself 

A sin to crush himself; the curse comes back 

And sinks him in the bottomless vast gulf 

Of Narak." 

Thus the gods to Kali spake, 
And mounted heavenward ; whereupon that Shade, 
Frowning, to Dwapara burst forth : " My rage 
Beareth no curb. Henceforth in Nala I 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 8 1 

Will dwell ; his kingdom I will make to fall ; 
His bliss with Damayanti I will mar ; 
And thou within the dice shalt enter straight, 
And help me, Dwapara ! to drag him down." 



Into which compact entering, those repaired — 
Kali and Dwapara — to Nala's house, 
And haunted in Nishadha, where he ruled. 
Seeking occasion 'gainst the blameless Prince. 
Long watched they ; twelve years rolled ere Kali saw 
The fateful fault arrive ; Nishadha's Lord, 
Easing himself, and sprinkling hands and lips 
With purifying water, passed to prayer. 
His feet unwashed, offending. KaH straight 
Possessed the heedless Raja, entering him. 

That hour there sat with Nala, Pushkara 
His brother ; and the evil spirit hissed 
Into the ear of Pushkara : " Ehi ! 

6 



82 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Arise, and challenge Nala at the dice. 

Throw with the Prince ! it may be thou shalt win 

(Luck helping thee, and I) Nishadha's throne, 

Town, treasures, palace, — thou mayst gain them all." 

And Pushkara, hearing KaH's evil voice, 

Made near to Nala, with the dice in hand 

(A great piece for the " Bull," and httle ones 

For " Cows," and Kah hiding in the Bull). 

So Pushkara came to Nala's side and said : 

" Play with me, brother, at the ' Cows and Bull ; ' " 

And, being put off, cried mockingly, " Nay, play ! " 

Shaming the Prince, whose spirit chafed to leave 

A gage unfaced ; but when Vidharbha's gem, 

The Princess, heard that challenge, Nala rose : 

" Yea, Pushkara, I will play ! " fiercely he said ; 

And to the game addressed. 

His gems he lost, 
Armlets and belt and necklet ; next the gold 
Of the palace and its vessels ; then the cars 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 8;^ 

Yoked with swift steeds ; and last, the royal robes : 

For, cast by cast, the dice against him fell, 

Bewitched by Kali ; and, cast after cast, 

Th« passion of the dice gat hold on him. 

Until not one of all his faithfullest 

Could stay the madman's hand and gamester's heart 

Of who was named " Subduer of his Foes." 

The townsmen gathered with the ministers : 
Into that palace gate they thronged (my King !) 
To see their lord, if so they might abate 
This sickness of his soul. The charioteer. 
Forth standing from their midst, low worshipping. 
Spake thus to Damayanti : " Great Princess, 
Before thy door all the grieved city sits. 
Say to our lord for us, ' Thy folk are here ; 
They mourn that evil fortunes hold their liege. 
Who was so high and just' " Then she, deject. 
Passed in, and to Nishadha's ruler said. 
Her soft voice broken, and her bright eyes dimmed : 



84 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" Raja, the people of thy town are here ; 

Before our gates they gather, citizens 

And counsellors, desiring speech \vith thee ; 

In lealty they come. Wilt thou be pleased 

We open to them? Wilt thou? " So she asked 

Again and yet again ; but not one word 

To that sad lady with the lovely brows 

Did Nala answer, wholly swallowed up 

Of Kali and the gaming ; so that those — 

The citizens and counsellors — cried out, 

" Our lord is changed ! He is not Nala now i " 

And home returned, ashamed and sorrowful ; 

Whilst ceaselessly endured that foolish play 

Moon after moon, — the Prince the loser still. 



Then Damayanti, seeing so estranged 
Her lord, the praised in song, the chief of men. 
Watching, all self-possessed, his fantasy, 
And how the gaming held him ; sad, and 'feared. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 85 

The heavy fortunes pondering of her Prince ; 

Hating the fault, but to the offender kind ; 

And fearing Nala should be stripped of all, 

This thing devised. Vrihatsena she called, — 

Her foster-nurse and faithful ministrant, — 

True, skilful at all service, soft of speech. 

Kind-hearted ; and she said, " Vrihatsena, 

Go call the ministers to council now, 

As though 't were Nala bade ; and make them count 

What store is gone of treasure, what abides." 

So went Vrihatsena, and summoned those ; 

And when they knew all things, as from the Prince, 

"Truly we, too, shall perish ! " cried they then ; 

And all to Nala went, and all the town, 

A second time assembling, thronged his gates : 

Which Bhima's daughter told ; but not one word 

Answered the Prince. And when she saw her lord 

Put by her plea, utterly slighting it. 

Back to her chamber, full of shame, she goes, 

And there still hears the dice are falling ill ; 



86 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Still hears of Nala daily losing more ; 

So that again unto her nurse she spake : 

" Send to Varshneya, good Vrihatsena ; 

Say to the charioteer, — in Nala's name, — 

' A great thing is to do. Come thou ! ' " And this, 

So soon as Damayanti uttered it, — 

Vrihatsena, by faithful servants, told 

Unto the son of Vrishni, who, being come 

In fitting time and place, heard the sweet Queen 

In mournful music speak these wistful words : 

" Thou knowest how thy Raja trusted thee ; 

Now he hath fall'n on evil ; succor him ! 

The more that Pushkara conquers in the play. 

The wilder rage of gaming takes thy lord : 

The more for Pushkara the dice light well. 

More contrary they happen to the Prince : 

Nor heeds he, as were meet, kindred or friends ; 

Nay, of myself he putteth by the prayer 

Unanswered, being bewitched ; for well I deem 

This is not noble-minded Nala's sin. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 87 

But some ill spell possesseth him to shut 
His ears to me. Thou, therefore, charioteer ! 
Our refuge be ; do what I shall command ; 
JVLy heart is dark with fear. Yea, it may fall 
Our lord will perish. Wherefore, harnessing 
His chosen steeds, which fly as swift as thought, 
Take these our children in the chariot 
And drive to Kundina, delivering there 
Unto my kin the little ones, and car, 
And horses. Afterwards abide thou there, 
Or otherwhere depart." 

Varshneya heard 
The words of Damayanti, and forthwith 
In Nala's council-hall recounted them, 
The chief men being present ; who, thus met, 
And long debating, gave him leave to go. 
So with that royal pair to Bhima's town 
Drove he, and at Vidarbha rendered up. 
Together with the swift steeds and the car. 



8S INDIAN IDYLLS. 

That sweet maid Indrasena, and the Prince 
Indrasen, and made reverence to the King, 
Saddened for sake of Nala. Afterward 
Taking his leave, unto Ayodhya 
Varshneya went, exceeding sorrowful, 
And with King Ritupama (O my Prince !) 
Took service as a charioteer. 



These gone, — 
The praised-of-poets, Nala, still played on. 
Till Pushkara his kingdom's wealth had won. 
And whatso was to lose beside. Thereat 
With scornful laugh mocked he that beggared Prince, 
Saying : " One other throw ! once more ! — Yet sooth. 
What canst thou stake ? Nothing is left for thee 
Save Damayanti ; all the rest is mine. 
Play we for Damayanti, if thou wilt." 
But hearing this from Pushkara, the Prince 
So in his heart by grief and shame was torn, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 89 

No word he uttered, — only glared in wrath 

Upon his mocker, upon Pushkara. 

Then, his rich robes and jewels stripping off, 

Uncovered, with one cloth, 'mid waiting friends 

Sorrowful passed he forth, his great state gone ; 

The Princess, with one garment, following him, 

Piteous to see. And there without the gates 

Three nights they lay, — Nishadha's King and Queen. 

Upon the fourth day Pushkara proclaimed, 

Throughout the city, " Whoso yieldeth help 

To Nala, dieth ! Let my will be known ! " 

So, for this bitter word of Pushkara's power 
(O Yudhisthir !) the townsmen rendered not 
Service nor love, but left them outcast there, 
Unhelped, whom all the city should have helped. 
Yet three nights longer tarried he, his drink 
The common pool, his meat such fruits and roots 
As miserable hunger plucks from earth : 
Then fled they from those walls, the Prince going first. 
The Princess following. 



90 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

After grievous days, 
Pinched ever with sharp famine, Nala saw 
A flock of gold-winged birds lighting anigh, 
And to himself the famished Raja said : 
" Lo ! here is food ; this day we shall have store ; " 
Then lightly cast his cloth and covered them. 
But these, fluttering aloft, bore with them there 
Nala's one cloth ; and, hovering overhead. 
Uttered sharp-stinging words, reviling him 
Even as he stood, naked to all the airs, 
Downcast and desperate : " Thou brain-sick Prince ! 
We are the dice ; we come to ravish hence 
Thy last poor cloth ; we were not well content 
Thou shouldst depart owning a garment still." 
And when he saw the dice take wings and fly, 
Leaving him bare, to Damayanti spake 
This melancholy Prince : " O Blameless One, 
They by whose malice I am driven forth. 
Finding no sustenance, sad, famine-gaunt, — 
They whose decree forbade Nishadha's folk 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 9 1 

Should succor me, their Raja, — these have come, — 

Demon and dice, — and Hke to winged birds 

Have borne away my cloth. To such shame fall'n, 

Such utmost woe, wretched, demented — I 

Thy lord am still, and counsel thee for good. 

Attend ! Hence be there many roads which go 

Southwards : some pass Avanti's walls, and some 

Skirt Rikshavan, the forest of the bears ; 

This wends to Vindhya's lofty peaks, and this 

To the green banks where quick Payoshni runs 

Seaward, between her hermitages, rich 

In fruits and roots ; and yon path leadeth thee 

Unto Vidarbha ; that to Kosala, 

And therefrom southward — southward — far away." 

So spake he to the Princess wistfully. 
Between his words pointing along the paths, 
Which she should take (O King !). But Bhima's child 
Made answer, bowed with grief, her soft voice choked 
With sobs, these piteous accents uttering : 



92 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" My heart beats quick ; my body's force is gone, 
Tliinking, dear Prince, on this which thou hast said, 
Pointing along the paths. What ! robbed of realm. 
Stripped of thy wealth, bare, famished, parched with thirst. 
Thus shall I leave thee in the untrodden wood ? 
Ah, no ! While thou dost muse on dear days fled. 
Hungry and weeping, I in this wild waste 
Will charm thy griefs away, solacing thee. 
The wisest doctors say, ^ In every woe 
No better physic is than wifely love.' 
And, Nala, I will make it true to thee." 

" Thou mak'st it true," he said j " thou sayest well, 
Sweet Damayanti ; neither is there friend rp 

To sad men given better than a wife. 
I had no thought to leave thee, foolish Love ! 
Why didst thou fear ? Alas, 't is from myself 
That I would fly — not thee, thou Faultless One ! " 

" Yet, if," the Princess answered, " Maharaj ! 
Thou hadst no thought to leave me, why by thee 



NALA AND DAMAYANTL 93 

Was the way pointed to Vidarbha's walls ? 

I know thou wouldst not quit me, noblest Lord, 

Being thyself, but only if thy mind 

Wgre sore distraught ; and see, thou gazest still 

Along the southward road, my dread thereby 

Increasing, thou that wert as are the gods ! 

If it be thy fixed thought, ' 'T were best she went 

Unto her people,' — be it so ; I go ; 

But hand in hand with thee. Thus let us fare 

Unto Vidarbha, where the King, my sire, 

Will greet thee well, and honor thee ; and we 

Happy and safe within his gates shall dwell." 



" As is thy father's kingdom," Nala said, 
" So, once, was mine. Be sure, whate'er betide, 
Never will I go thither ! How, in sooth, 
Should I, who came there glorious, gladdening thee. 
Creep back, thy shame and scorn, disconsolate? " 

So to sweet Damayanti spake the Prince, 
Beguiling her, whom now one cloth scarce clad, — 



94 



INDIAN IDYLLS. 



For but one garb they sliared ; and thus they strayed 

Hither and thither, faint for meat and drink, 

Until a little hut they spied ; and there, 

Nishadha's monarch, entering, sat him down 

On the bare ground, the Princess by his side, — 

Vidarbha's glory, wearing that scant cloth. 

Without a mat, soiled by the dust and mire. 

At Damayanti's side he sank asleep, 

Outworn ; and beauteous Damayanti slept. 

Spent with strange trials, — she so gently reared. 

So soft and holy. But while slumbering thus. 

No peaceful rest knew Nala. Trouble-tossed 

He woke, forever thinking of his realm 

Lost, lieges estranged, and all the griefs 

Of that wild wood. These on his heart came back, 

And, " What if I shall do it? What, again, 

If I shall do it not ? " So murmured he. 

" Would death be better, or to leave my Love ? 

For my sake she endures this woe, my fate 

Too fondly sharing ; freed from me, her steps 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 95 

Would turn unto her people. At my side, 

Sure suffering is her portion ; but apart, 

It might be she would somewhere comfort find." 

Thus with himself debating o'er and o'er. 
The Prince resolves abandonment were best. 
" For how," saith he, " should any in the wood 
Harm her, so radiant in her grace, so good. 
So noble, virtuous, faithful, famous, pure? " 
Thus mused his miserable mind, seduced 
By Kali's cursed mischiefs to betray 
His sleeping wife. Then, seeing his loin-cloth gone, 
And Damayanti clad, he drew anigh, 
Thinking to take of hers, and muttering, 
" May I not rend one fold, and she not know? " 
So meditating, round the cabin crept 
Prince Nala, feeling up and down its walls ; 
And, presently, within the purlieus found 
A naked knife, keen-tempered ; therewithal 
Shred he away a piece, and bound it on ; 



96 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Then made with desperate steps to seek the waste, 
Leaving the Princess sleeping ; but, an.on, 
Turns back again in changeful mood and glides 
Into the hut, and, gazing wistfully 
On slumbering Damayanti, moans with tears : 
" Ah, Sweetheart ! whom nor wind nor sun before 
Hath ever rudely touched ; thou to be couched 
In this poor hut, its floor thy bed, and I, 
Thy lord, deserting thee, stealing from thee 
Thy last robe ! O my Love with the bright smile, 
My slender- waisted Queen ! Will she not wake 
To madness ? Yea, and when she wanders lone 
In the dark wood, haunted with beasts and snakes, 
How will it fare with Bhima's tender child. 
The bright and peerless ? O my life, my wife ! 
May the great sun, may the Eight Powers of air, 
The Rudras, Maruts, and the Aswins twain. 
Guard thee, thou true and dear one, on thy way ! " 

So to his sleeping Queen — on all the earth 
Unmatched for beauty — spake he piteously ; 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 97 

Then brake away once more, by Kali driven. 

But yet another and another time 

Stole back into the hut, for one last gaze, — 

That way by Kali dragged, this way by love. 

Two hearts he had, — the trouble-stricken Prince, — 

One beating " Go," one throbbing " Stay ; " and thus 

Backwards and forwards s\vung his mind between. 

Till, mastered by the sorrow and the spell. 

Frantic flies Nala, leaving there alone 

That tender sleeper, sighing as she slept. 

He flies — the soulless prey of KaU flies ; 

Still, while he hurries through the forest drear, 

Thinking upon that sweet face he hath left. 



Far distant (King !) was Nala, when, refreshed, 
The slender-waisted wakened, shuddering 
At the wood's silence ; but when, seeking him, 
She found no Nala, sudden anguish seized 
Her frightened heart, and, lifting high her voice, 

7 



98 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Loud cried she : " Maharaja ! Nishadh's Prince ! 

Ha, Lord ! ha, Maharaj ! ha, Master ! why 

Hast thou abandoned me ? Now am I lost. 

Am doomed, undone, left in this lonesome gloom. 

Wert thou not named, O Nala, true and just ? 

Yet art thou such, to quit me while I slept ? 

And hast thou so forsaken me, thy wife, — 

Thine own fond wife, — who never wrought thee \vrong 

When by all others wrong was \vrought on thee ? 

Mak'st thou it good to me, now. Lord of men, 

That love which long ago before the gods 

Thou didst proclaim ? Alas ! Death will not come. 

Except at his appointed time to men, 

And therefore for a htde I shall live. 

Whom thou hast lived to leave. Nay, 't is a jest ! 

Ah, Truant, Runaway, enough thou play'st ! 

Come forth, my Lord ! — I am afraid ! Come forth ! 

Linger not, for I see — I spy thee there ; 

Thou art within yon thicket ! Why not speak 

One word, Nishadha? Nala, cruel Prince ! 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 99 

Thou know'st me lone, and comest not to calm 
My terrors, and be with me in my need. 
Art gone indeed ? Then I '11 not mourn myself, 
Foj; whatso may befall me ; I must think 
How desolate thou art, and weep for thee. 
What wilt thou do, thirsty and hungry, spent 
With wandering, when, at nightfall, 'mid the trees 
Thou hast me not, sweet Prince, to comfort thee? " 

Thereat, distracted by her bitter fears, 
Like one whose heart is fire, forward and back 
She runs, hither and thither, weeping, wild. 
"One while she sinks to earth, one while she springs 
Quick to her feet ; now utterly o'ercome 
By fear and fasting, now by grief driven mad, 
Wailing and sobbing ; till anon, with moans 
And broken sighs and tears, Bhima's fair child, 
The ever-faithful wife, speaks thus again : 
" By whomsoever's spell this harm hath fall'n 
On Nishadh's Lord, I pray that evil one 



lOO INDIAN IDYLLS. 

May bear a bitterer plague than Nala doth ! 
To him, whoever set my guileless Prince 
On these ill deeds, I pray some direr might 
May bring far darker days, and hfe to Hve 
More miserable still ! " 

Thus, woe-begone, 
Mourned that great-hearted wife her vanished lord, 
Seeking him ever in the gloomy shades, 
By wild beasts haunted. Roaming everywhere, 
Like one possessed, frantic, disconsolate. 
Went Bhima's daughter. " Ha, ha ! Maharaj ! " 
So crying runs she, so in every place 
Is heard her ceaseless wail, as when is heard 
The fish-hawk's cry, which screams, and circling screams, 
And will not stint complaining. 

^ Suddenly, 
Straying too near his den, a serpent's coils 
Seized Bhima's daughter. A prodigious snake, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. lOi 

Glittering and strong, and furious for food, 

Knitted about the Princess. She, o'erwhehned 

With horror, and the cold enfolding death, 

Sp.ends her last breaths in pitiful laments 

For Nala, not herself. " Ah, Prince ! " she cried, 

" That would have saved me, who must perish now. 

Seized in the lone wood by this hideous snake, 

Why art thou not beside me ? What will be 

Thy thought, Nishadha ! me remembering 

In days to come, when, from the curse set free. 

Thou hast thy noble mind again, thyself, 

Thy wealth, — all save thy wife ? Then thou 'It be sad, 

Be weary, wilt need food and drink ; but I 

Shall minister no longer. Who will tend 

My Love, my Lord, my Lion among kings. 

My blameless Nala, — Damayanti dead ? " 

That hour a hunter, roving through the brake. 
Heard her bewailing, and with quickened steps 
Made nigh, and, spying a woman, almond-eyed. 



102 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Lovely, forlorn, by that fell monster knit, 

He ran ; and, as he came, with keen shaft clove, 

Thi-ough gaping mouth and crown, th' unwitting worm, 

Slaying it. Then the woodman from its folds 

Freed her, and laved the snake's slime from her limbs 

With water of the pool, comforting her 

And giving food ; and afterwards (my King !) 

Inquiry made : " What doest, in this wood. 

Thou with the fawn's eyes ? And how camest thou, 

My mistress, to such pit of misery? " 

And Damayanti, spoken fair by him. 
Recounted all which had befallen her. 

But, gazing on her graces, scantly clad 
With half a cloth, those smooth, full sides, those breasts? 
Beauteously swelling, form of faultless mould. 
Sweet youthful face, faij as the moon at full. 
And dark orbs, by long curving lashes swept ; 
Hearing her tender sighs and honeyed speech. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 103 

The hunter fell to hot desire ; he dared 

Essay to woo, with whispered words at first, 

And next by amorous approach, the Queen ; 

Who, presently perceiving what he would. 

And all that baseness of him, — being so pure. 

So chaste, and faithful, — like a blazing torch 

Took fire of scorn and anger 'gainst the man, 

Her true soul burning at him, till the wretch. 

Wicked in heart, but impotent of will, 

Glared on her, splendidly invincible 

In weakness, loftily defying wrong, 

A living flame of lighted chastity. 

She then — albeit so desolate, so lone, 

Abandoned by her lord, stripped of her state, — 

Like a proud princess stormed, flinging away 

All terms of supplication, cursing him 

With ^vrath which scorched : " If I am clean in heart 

And true in thought unto Nishadha's King, 

Then mayst thou, vile pursuer of the beasts. 

Sink to the earth, stone dead ! " 



I04 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

While she did speak, 
The hunter breathless fell to earth, stone dead, 
As falls a tree-trunk blasted by the bolt. 



That ravisher destroyed, the lotus-eyed 
Fared forward, threading still the fearful wood. 
Lonely and dim, with trill of jhillij^as ^ 
Resounding, and fierce noise of many beasts 
Laired in its shade, lions and leopards, deer, 
Close-hiding tigers, sullen bisons, wolves, 
And shaggy bears. Also the glades of it 
Were filled with fowl which crept, or flew, and cried. 
A home for savage men and murderers. 
Thick with a world of trees, whereof was sal,^ 
Sharp-seeded, weeping gum ; knotted bambus, 

1 Jhillikas are the large wood-crickets. 

2 I have somewhat expanded this passage, which in the original 
Sanskrit is a bare enumeration of the different trees, in long 
compound words, each word filling a whole line. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 105 

Dhavas with twisted roots ; smooth aswatthas, 

Large-leaved, and creeping through the cloven rocks ; 

Tindukas, iron-fibred, dark of grain ; 

Ingudas, yielding oil ; and kinsukas, 

With scarlet flowerets flaming. Thronging these 

Were arjuns and arishta- clumps, which bear 

The. scented purple clusters ; syandans, 

And tall silk-cotton trees, and mango-belts 

With silvery spears ; and wild rose-apple, blent 

'Mid lodhra-tufl:s and khadirs, interknit 

By clinging rattans, climbing everywhere 

From stem to stem. Therewith were intermixed — 

Round pools where rocked the lotus — amalaks, 

Plakshas with fluted leaves, kadambas sweet, 

Udumbaras ; and, on the jungle-edge. 

Tangles of reed and jujube, whence there rose 

Bel-trees and nyagrodhas, dropping roots 

Down from the air ; broad-leaved priyalas, palms 

And date-trees, and the gold myrobalan. 

With copper-leaved vibhitikas. All these 



I06 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Crowded the wood ; and many a crag it held, 
With precious ore of metals interveined ; 
And many a creeper-covered cave wherein 
The spoken word rolled round ; and many a cleft 
Where the thick stems were like a wall to see ; 
And many a winding stream and reedy jheel, 
And glassy lakelet, where the woodland beasts 
In free peace gathered. 

Wandering onward thus, 
The Princess saw far-gliding forms of dread, — 
Pisachas, Rakshasas, ill sprites and fiends 
Which haunt, with swinging snakes, the undergrowth. 
Dark pools she saw, and drinking-holes, and peaks 
Wherefrom brake down in tumbhng cataracts 
The wild white waters, marvellous to hear. 
Also she passed — this daughter of a king — 
Where snorted the fierce buffaloes, and where 
The gray boars rooted for their food, and where 
The black bears growled, and serpents in the grass 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 107 

Rustled and hissed. But all along that way 

Safe paced she in her majesty of grace, 

High fortune, courage, constancy, and right, — 

Vid^bha's glory, — seeking, all alone, 

Lost Nala ; and less terror at these sights 

Came to sad Damayanti for herself — 

Threading this dreadful forest — than for him. 

Most was her mind on Nala's fate intent. 

Bitterly grieving stood the sweet Princess 

Upon a rock, her tender limbs a-thrill 

With heavy fears for Nala while she spake : — 

'' Broad-chested Chief] my long- armed Lord of men ! 
Nishadha's King ! Ah ! whither art thou gone. 
Leaving me thus in the unpeopled wood ? 
The Aswamedha sacrifice thou mad'st. 
And all the rites and royal gifts hast given, 
A lion-hearted Prince, holy and true 
To all save me ! That which thou didst declare, 
Hand in hand with me, — once so fond and kind, — 



io8 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Recall it now, — thy sacred word, thy vow, 

Whithersoever, Raja, thou art fled. 

Think how the message of the gold- winged swans 

Was spoken, by thine own lips, then to me ! 

True men keep faith ; this is the teaching taught 

In Vedas, Angas, and Upangas all. 

Hear which we may ; will thou not, therefore. Prince, 

Wilt thou not, terror of thy foes, keep faith. 

Making thy promise good to cleave to me ? 

Ha, Nala, Lord ! Am I not surely stiU 

Thy chosen, thy beloved ? Answerest not 

Thy wife in this dark, horror-haunted shade ? 

The tyrant of the jungle, fierce and fell. 

With jaws agape to take me, crouches nigh, 

And thou not here to rescue me, — not thou, 

Who saidst none other in the world was dear 

But Damayanti ! Prove the fond speech true, 

Uttered so often ! Why repliest not 

To me, thy well-beloved ; me, distraught, 

Longed for and longing ; me, my Prince and pride. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 109 

That am so weary, weak, and miserable, 

Stained with the mire, in this torn cloth half clad. 

Alone and weeping, seeing no help near? 

Ah, stag of all the herd ! leav'st thou thy hind 

Astray, regarding not these tears which roll ? 

My Nala, Maharaja ! It is I 

Who cry, thy Damayanti, true and pure. 

Lost in the wood, and still thou answerest not ! 

High-born, high-hearted, full of grace and strength 

In all thy limbs, shall I not find thee soon 

On yonder hiU? Shall I not see, at last, 

In some track of this grim, beast-peopled wood. 

Standing, or seated, or upon the leaves 

Lying, or coming, him who is of men 

The glory, but for me the grief-maker? 

If not, whom shall I question, woe-begone, 

Saying, ^ In any region of this wood 

Hast thou, perchance, seen Nala? ' Is there none. 

In all the forest, would reply to me 

With tidings of my lord, wandered away, 



no INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Kingly in mind and form, of hosts of foes 

The conqueror ? Who will say, with blessed voice, 

* That Raja with the lotus-eyes is near, 

Whom thou dost seek ' ? — Nay, here comes one to ask. 

The yellow forest-king, his great jaws armed 

With fourfold fangs. A tiger standeth now 

Face to face on my path ; I '11 speak with him 

Fearlessly : ' Dreadful chief of all this waste, 

Thou art the sovereign of the beasts, and I 

Am daughter of Vidarbha's King ; my name. 

The Princess Damayanti ; know thou me, 

Wife of Nishadha's Lord, — of Nala, — styled 

" Subduer of his Foes " ? Him seek I here, — 

Abandoned, sorrow-stricken, miserable. 

Comfort me, mighty beast, if so thou canst. 

Saying thou hast seen Nala ; but if this 

Thou canst not do, then, ah, thou savage lord. 

Terrible friend, devour me, setting me 

Free from all woes ! ' The tiger answereth not ; 

He turns, and quits me in my tears, to stalk 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. iii 

Down where the river glitters through the reeds, 
Seeking its seaward way. Then will I pray 
Unto yon sacred mount of clustered crags, 
Bfoad-shouldered, shining, lifting high to heaven 
Its diverse-colored peaks, where the mind climbs, 
Its hid heart rich with silver veins, and gold. 
And stored with many a precious gem unseen. 
Clear towers it o'er the forest, broad and bright 
Like a green banner ; and the sides of it 
House many a living thing, — lions and boars. 
Tigers and elephants, and bears and deer. 
Softly around me from its feathered flocks 
The songs ring, perched upon the kinsuk trees, 
The asokas, vakuls, and punnaga boughs, 
Or hidden in the kamikara leaves. 
And tendrils of the dhava or the fig ; 
Full of great glens it soars, where waters leap 
And bright birds lave. This king of hills I sue 
For tidings of ray lord. O Mountain Lord, 
Far-seen and celebrated hill ! that cleav'st 



1 12 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The blue of the sky, refuge of hving things, 
Most noble eminence, I worship thee ; 
Thee I salute, who am a monarch's child. 
The daughter and the consort of a prince. 
The high-born Damayanti, unto whom 
Bhima, Vidarbha's chief, — that puissant lord, - 
Was sire, renowned o'er earth. Protector he 
Of the four castes, performer of the rites 
Called Rajasuya and the Aswamedh, — 
A bounteous giver, first of rulers, known 
For his large shining eyes ; holy and just, 
Fast to his word, unenvious, sweet of speech, 
Gentle and valiant, dutiful and pure ; 
The guardian of Vidarbha, of his foes 
The slayer. Know me, O Majestic Mount ! 
For that King's daughter, bending low to thee. 
In Nishadh lived the father of my lord, 
The Maharaja Virasena named. 
Wealthy and great ; whose son, of regal blood, 
High-fortuned, powerful, and noble-soulcd. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTL 1 13 

Ruleth by right the realm paternal : he 

Is Nala, terror of all enemies ; 

Dark Nala, praised-in-song ; Nala the just, 

The pure ; deep-seen in scriptures, sweet of speech. 

Drinker of Soma-juice, and worshipper 

Of Agni ; sacrificing, giving gifts ; 

First in the wars, a perfect, princely lord. 

His wife am I, Great Mountain ! and come here 

Fortuneless, husbandless, and spiritless. 

Everywhere seeking him, my best of men. 

O Mount, whose doubled ridge stamps on the sky 

Yon line, by fivescore splendid pinnacles 

Indented ! tell me, in this gloomy wood 

Hast thou seen Nala ? Nala, wise and bold, 

Like a tusked elephant for might ; long-armed. 

Indomitable, gallant, glorious, true ; 

Nala, Nishadha's chief, — hast thou seen him ? 

O Mountain, why consolest thou me not. 

Answering one word to sorrowful, distressed. 

Lonely, lost Damayanti ? " 



114 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Then she cried : 
" But answer for thyself, Hero and Lord ! 
If thou be'st in the forest, show thyself ! 
Alas ! when shall I hear that voice, as low, 
As tender as the murmur of the rain 
When great clouds gather ; sweet as Amrit-drink ? 
Thy voice, once more, my Nala, calHng to me 
Full softly, ' Damayanti ! ' — dearest Prince, 
That would be music soothing to these ears 
As sound of sacred Veda ; that would stay 
My pains and comfort me, and bring me peace." 

Thereafter, turning from the mount, she went 
Northwards, and journeying on three nights and days 
Came to a green incomparable grove 
By holy men inhabited \ a haunt 
Placid as Paradise, whose indwellers 
Like to Vasistha, Bhrigu, Atri, were, — 
Those ancient saints. Restraining sense they lived. 
Heedful in meats, subduing passion, pure. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 115 

Breathing within ; their food water and herbs ; 

Ascetics j very holy ; seeking still 

The heavenward road ; clad in the bark of trees 

And skins, — all gauds of earth being put by. 

This hermitage, peopled by gentle ones, 

Glad Damayanti spied, circled with herds 

Of wild things grazing fearless, and with troops 

Of monkey-folk o'erhead ; and when she saw, 

Her heart was lightened, for its quietness. 

So drew she nigh, — that lovely wanderer, — 

Bright-browed, long-tressed, large-hipped, full-bosomed 

fair. 
With pearly teeth and honeyed mouth, in gait 
Right queenly still, having those long black eyes, — 
The wife of Virasena's son, the gem 
Of all dear women, glory of her time ; 
Sad Damayanti entered their abode. 
Those holy men saluting reverently. 
With modest body bowed. Thus stood she there. 
And all the saints spake gently, " Swdgafam, — 



Il6 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Welcome ! " and gave the greetings which are meet ; 

And afterwards, " Repose thyself," they said; 

" What wouldst thou have of us ? " Then, with soft words 

The slender-waisted spake : " Of all these here. 

So worshipful in sacrifice and rite, — 

'Mid gentle beasts and birds, — in tasks and toils 

And blameless duties — is it well? " And they 

Answered : " We thank you, noble lady, well. 

Tell us, most beauteous one, thy name, and say 

What thou desirest. Seeing thee so fair, 

So worthy, yet so sorrowful, our minds 

Are lost in wonder. Weep not. Comfort take. 

Art thou the goddess of the wood ? Art thou 

The Mountain- Yakshi, or, belike, some sprite 

Which lives under the river? Tell us true, 

Gentle and faultless form ! " 

Whereat reply 
Thus made she to the Rishis : " None of these 
Am I, good saints. No goddess of the wood, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 117 

Nor yet a mountain nor a river sprite ; 

A woman ye behold, most holy ones, 

Whose moving story I will tell you true. 

The Raja of Vidarbha is my sire, 

Bhima his name, and — Best of Twice-born ! — know 

My husband is Nishadha's Chief, the famed. 

The wise and valiant and victorious Prince, 

The high and lordly Nala ; of the gods 

A steadfast worshipper ; of Brahmanas 

The friend ; his people's shield ; honored and strong. 

Truth-speaking, skilled in arms, sagacious, just ; 

Terrible to his foes, fortunate, lord 

Of many conquered towns ; a godlike man, 

Princeliest of princes, — Nala, — one that hath 

A countenance like the full moon's for light. 

And eyes of lotus. This true offerer 

Of sacrifices, this close votary 

Of Vedas and Vedangas, in the war 

Deadly to enemies, like sun and moon 

For splendor, — by some certain evil ones 



ii8 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Being defied to dice, my virtuous Prince 
Was, by their wicked acts, of realm despoiled, — 
Wealth, jewels, all. I am his woful wife. 
The Princess Damayanti. Seeking him 
Through thickets have I roamed, over rough hills. 
By crag and river and the reedy lake. 
By marsh and waterfall and jungle-bush, 
In quest of him, — my lord, my warrior. 
My hero, — and still roam, uncomforted. 
Worshipful Brethren ! say if he hath come, — 
Nishadha's Chief, my Na]a, hitherward 
Unto your pleasant homes, — he, for whose sake 
I wander in the dismal pathless wood 
With bears and tigers haunted — terrible ? 
Ah ! if I find him not, ere there be passed 
Many more nights and days, peace will I win ; 
For death shall set my mournful spirit free. 
What cause have I to live, lacking my Prince ? 
Why should I longer breathe, whose heart is dead 
With sorrow for my lord ? " 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 119 

To Bhima's child, 
So in the wood bewailing, made reply 
Those holy, truthful men : " Beautiful One ! 
The future is for thee ; fair will it fall ! 
Our eyes, by long devotions opened, see — 
Even now — thy lord ; thou shalt behold him soon, 
Nishadha's chief, the famous Nala, strong 
In battle, loving justice. Yea, this Prince 
Thou wilt regain, Bhima's sad daughter ! freed 
From troubles, purged of sin ; and witness him — 
With all his gems and glories — governing 
Nishadha once again, invincible, 
Joy of his friends and terror of his foes. 
Yea, Noblest, thou shalt have thy love anew 
In days to come." 

So speaking, from the sight 
Of Damayanti, at that instant, passed 
Hermits, with hermitage and holy fires. 
Evanishing. In wonderment she stood. 



I20 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Gazing bewildered. Then the Princess cried : 

" Was it in dream I saw them ? Whence befell 

This unto me ? Where are the brethren gone, 

The ring of huts, the pleasant stream that ran 

With birds upon its crystal banks, the grove 

Delightful, with its fruits and flowers? " Long while 

Pondered and wondered Damayanti there, 

Her bright smile fled, pale, strengthless, sorrowful j 

Then to another region of the wood, 

With sighs, and eyes welling great tears, she passed, 

Lamenting ; till a beauteous tree she spied, — 

The Asoka, best of trees. Fair rose it there 

Beside the forest, glowing with the flame 

Of golden and crimson blossoms, and its boughs 

Full of sweet-singing birds. 

"Ahovat, — l.odk\'" 
She cried : " Ah, lovely tree, that wavest here 
Thy crown of countless, shining, clustering blooms 
As thou wert woodland king, — Asoka tree, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 121 

Tree called ' the sorrow-ender,' heart's-ease tree ! 
Be what thy name saith, — end my sorrow now, 
Saying, ah, bright Asoka ! thou hast seen 
^y Prince, my dauntless Nala ; seen that lord 
Whom Damayanti loves and his foes fear ; 
Seen great Nishadha's Chief, so dear to me. 
His tender princely skin in rended cloth 
Scantily clad. Hath he passed wandering 
Under thy branches, grievously forlorn ? 
Answer, Asoka ! ' Sorrow-ender,' speak ! 
That I go sorrowless, O heart's-ease, be 
Truly heart's-easing, — ease my heart of pain." ^ 

Thus, wild with grief, she spake unto the tree, 
Round and round walking, as to reverence it ; 
And then, unanswered, the sweet lady sped 
Though wastes more dreadful, passing many a ran. 
Many still-gUding rillets, many a peak 

1 The translation here repeats the play of words in the original : 
Satyanamd bhawdsokuy asoka sokandshana. 



122 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Tree-clad, with beasts and birds of wondrous kind, 
In dark ravines, and caves, and lonely glooms. 
These things saw Damayanti, Bhima's child, 
Seeking her lord. 

At last, on the long road, 
She, whose soft smile was once so beautiful, 
A caravan encountered. Merchantmen 
With trampHng horses, elephants, and wains. 
Made passage of a river, running slow 
In cool, clear waves. The quiet waters gleamed, 
Shining and wide outspread, between the canes , • 
Which bordered it, wherefrom echoed the cries 
Of fish-hawks, curlews, and red chakravaks, 
With sounds of leaping fish and water-snakes. 
And tortoises, amid its shoals and flats 
Sporting or feeding. 

When she spied that throng, 
Heart-maddened with her anguish, weak and wan, 
Half clad, bloodless and thin, her long black locks 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 123 

Matted with dust, — breathlessly brake she in 

Upon them, — Nala's wife, — so beauteous once. 

So honored. Seeing her, some fled in fear ; 

Some gazed, speechless with wonder ; some called out, 

Mocking the piteous face by words of scorn ; 

But some (my King !) had pity of her woe, 

And spake her fair, inquiring : " Who art thou ? 

And whence ? And in this grove what seekest thou. 

To come so wild? Thy mien astonisheth. 

Art of our kind, or art thou something strange. 

The spirit of the forest, or the hill. 

Or river valley ? Tell us true ; then we 

Will buy thy favor. If, indeed, thou be'st 

Yakshini, Rakshasi, or she-creature 

Haunting this region, be propitious ! Send 

Our caravan in safety on its path. 

That we may quickly, by thy fortune, go 

Homeward, and all fair chances fall to us." 

Hereby accosted, softly gave response 
That royal lady, — weary for her lord, — 



124 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Answering the leader of the caravan, 

And those that gathered round, a marveUing throng 

Of men and boys and elders : " Oh, believe 

I am as you, of mortal birth, but born 

A Raja's child, and made a Raja's wife. 

Him seek I, Chieftain of Nishadha, named 

Prince Nala, — famous, glorious, first in war. 

If ye know aught of him, my king, my joy. 

My tiger of the jungle, my lost lord, 

Quick, tell me, comfort me ! " 

Then one who led 
Their line, — the merchant Suchi, — answering. 
Spake to the peerless Princess : " Hear me now. 
I am the captain of this caravan. 
But nowhere any named by Nala's name 
Have I, or these, beheld. Of evil beasts 
The woods were full, — cheetahs and bears and cats, 
Tigers and elephants, bison and boar ; 
Those saw we in the brake on every side. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 125 

But nowhere nought of human shape, save thee. 
May Manibhadra have us in his grace, — 
The Lord of Yakshas, — as I tell thee truth ! " 

Then sadly spake she to the trader-chief 
And to his band : " Whither wend ye, I pray ? 
Please ye, acquaint me where this Sartha^ goes." 

Replied the captain : " Unto Chedi's realm. 
Where rules the just Subahu, journey we. 
To sell our merchandise, daughter of men ! " 



Thus by the chieftain of the band informed. 
The peerless Princess journeyed with them, still 
Seeking her lord. And at the first the way 
Fared through another forest, dark and deep ; 
Afterwards came the traders to a pool 
Broad, every^vhere delightful, odorous 

1 A caravan. 



126 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

With cups of opened lotus, and its shores 
Green with rich grass, and edged with garden-trees, — 
A place of flowers and fruits and singing birds. 
So cool and clear and peacefully it gleamed, 
That men and cattle, weary with the march, 
Clamored to pitch ; and, on their chieftain's sign. 
The pleasant hollow entered they, and camped — 
All the long caravan — at sunset's hour. 

There, in the quiet of the middle night, 
Deep slumbered these ; when, sudden on them fell ■ 
A herd of elephants, thirsting to drink, 
In rut, the mada ^ oozing from their heads. 
And when those great beasts spied the caravan. 
And smelled the tame cows of their kind, they rushed 
Headlong, andj mad with must,^ o'erwhelming all, 

^ This is a secretion which flows by a small orifice from the ele- 
phant's temples at certain seasons. It is sweet-smelling, and con- 
stantly alluded to in Hindoo poetry. 

2 The Indian word for the condition described. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 127 

With onset vast and irresistible. 
As when from some tall peak into the plain 
Thunder and smoke and crash the rolling rocks, 
Through splintered stems and thorns breaking their path, 
So swept the herd to where, beside the pool. 
Those sleepers lay ; and trampled them to earth 
Half-risen, helpless, shrieking in the dark, 
" Haha ! the elephants ! " Of those unslain. 
Some in the thickets sought a shelter ; some, 
Yet dazed with sleep, stood panic-stricken, mute ; 
Till here with tusks, and there with trunks, the beasts 
Gored them, and battered them, and trod them flat 
Under their monstrous feet. Then might be seen 
Camels with camel-drivers perishing. 
And men flying in fear, who struck at men, — 
Terror and death and clamor everywhere : 
While some, despairing, cast themselves to earth ; 
And some, in fleeing, fell and died ; and some 
Climbed to the tree-tops. Thus on every side 
Scattered and ruined was that caravan, — 



128 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Cattle and merchants, — by the herd assailed. 

So hideous was the tumult, all three worlds 

Seemed filled with fright ; and one was heard to cry : 

" The fire is in the tents ! fly for your lives ! 

Stay not ! " And others cried : " Look where we leave 

Our treasures trodden down ; gather them ! Halt ! 

Why run ye, losing ours and yours ? Nay, stay ! 

Stand ye, and we will stand ! " And then to these 

One voice cried, " Stand ! " another, " Fly ! we die ! " 

Answered by those again who shouted, " Stand ! 

Think what we lose, O cowards ! " 

While this rout 
Raged, amid dying groans and sounds of fear, 
The Princess, waking startled, terror-struck, 
Saw such a sight as might the boldest daunt, — 
Such scene as those great lovely lotus-eyes 
Ne'er gazed upon before. Sick with new dread, — 
Her breath suspended 'twixt her lips, — she rose 
And heard, of those surviving, some one moan 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 1 29 

Amidst his fellows : " From whose evil act 

Is this the fruit? Hath worship not been paid 

To mighty Manibhadra? Gave we not 

The reverence due to Vaishravan, that King 

Of all the Yakshas ? Was not offering made 

At outset to the spirits which impede ? 

Is this the evil portent of the birds ? 

Were the stars adverse? or what else hath fall'n? " 

And others said, wailing for friends and goods : 
" Who was that woman, with mad eyes, that came 
Into our camp, ill-favored, hardly cast 
In mortal mould ? By her, be sure, was wrought 
This direful sorcery. Demon or witch, 
Yakshi or Rakshasi, or ghding ghost. 
Or something frightful, was she. Hers this deed 
Of midnight murders ; doubt there can be none. 
Ah, if we could espy that hateful one. 
The ruin of our march, the woe-m^ker, 

9 



130 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

With stones, clods, canes, or clubs, nay, with clenched fists. 
We 'd strike her dead, the murderess of our band ! " 

Trembling the Princess heard those angry words ; 
And — saddened, maddened, shamed — breathless she fled 
Into the thicket, doubtful if such sin 
Might not be hers, and with fresh dread distressed. 
" Aho ! " she weeps, " pitiless grows the wrath 
Of Fate against me. Not one gleam of good 
Arriveth. Of what fault is this the fruit? 
I cannot call to mind a wrong I wrought 
To any — even a little thing — in act 
Or thought or word ; whence then hath come this curse ? 
Belike from ill deeds done in bygone lives 
It hath befall'n, and what I suffer now 
Is payment of old evils undischarged. 1 
Grievous the doom, — my palace lost, my lord, 
My children, kindred ; I am torn away 

1 This anticipation of the Buddhist doctrine of Karma is very 
curious. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 131 

From home and love and all, to roam accurst 
In this plague-haunted waste ! " 

• When brake the day, 

Those which escaped alive, with grievous cries 
Departed, mourning for their fellows slain. 
Each one a kinsman or a friend laments, — 
Father or brother, son, or comrade dear. 

And Damayanti, hearing, weeps anew, 
Saying : " What dreadful sin was that I wrought 
Long, long ago, which, when I chance to meet 
These wayfarers in the unpeopled wood. 
Dooms them to perish by the elephants, 
In my dark destiny enwrapped ? No doubt 
More and more sorrow I shall bear, or bring. 
For none dies ere his time ; this is the lore 
Of ancient sages ; this is why — being glad 
If I could die — I was not trampled down 
Under the elephants. There haps to man 



132 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Nothing unless by destiny. Why else, 

Seeing that never have I wrought one wrong, 

From childhood's hours, in thought or word or deed, 

Hath this woe chanced ? May be — meseems it may ! 

The mighty gods, at my Swayamvara 

Slighted by me for Nala's dearest sake. 

Are wroth, and by their dread displeasure thus 

To loss and loneliness I am consigned ! " 

So — woe-begone and wild — this noble wife, 
Deserted Damayanti, poured her griefs : 
And afterwards, with certain Brahmanas 
Saved from the rout, — good men who knew the Veds, • 
Sadly her road she finished, like the moon 
That goeth clouded in the month of rain. 
Thus travelling long, the Princess drew at last 
Nigh to a city, at the evening hour. 
The dwelling-place it was of Chedi's Chief, 
The just Subahu. Through its lofty gates 
Painfully passed she, clad in half a cloth ; 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 133 

And as she entered, — sorrow-stricken, wan, 

Foot-weary, stained with mire, with unsmoothed hair, 

Unbathed, and eyes of madness, — those who saw, 

Wonciered and stared, and watched her as she toiled 

Down the long city-street. The children brake 

From play, and — boys with girls — followed her steps. 

So that she came — a crowd encompassing — 

Unto the King's door. On the palace roof 

The mother of the Maharaja paced, 

And marked the throng, and that sad wayfarer. 

Then to her nurse spake the queen-mother this : 

" Go thou, and bring yon woman unto me ! 

The people trouble her ; mournful she walks, 

Seeming unfriended, yet bears she a mien 

Made for a king's abode, and, all so wild, 

Still are her wistful eyes like the great eyes 

Of Lakshmi's self." So downwards went the nurse, 

Bidding the rude folk back ; and to the roof 

Of the great palace led that wandering one, — 

Desolate Damayanti, — whom the Queen 



134 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Courteous besought : " Though thou art wan of face, 

Thou wear' St a noble air, which through thy griefs 

Shineth as lightning doth behind its cloud. 

Tell me thy name, and whose thou art, and whence. 

No low-born form is thine, albeit thou com'st 

Wearing no ornaments ; and all alone 

Wanderest, — not fearing men, — by some spell safe." 

Hearing which words, the child of Bhima spake 
Gratefully this : " A woful woman I, 
And woful wife, but faithful to my vows ; 
High-born, but like a servant, like a slave, 
Lodging where it may hap, and finding food 
From the wild roots and fruits wherever night 
Brings me my resting-place. Yet is my lord 
A prince noble and great, with countless gifts 
Endued ; and him I followed faithfully 
As 't were his shadow, tiil hard fate decreed 
That he should fall into the rage of dice : 
And, worsted in that play, into the wood 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 135 

He fled, clad in one cloth, frenzied and lone. 
And I his steps attended in the wood. 
Comforting him, my husband. But it chanced, 
Hungry and desperate, he lost his cloth ; 
And I — one garment bearing — followed still 
My unclad lord, despairing, reasonless. 
Through many a weary night not slumbering. 
But when, at length, a little while I slept, 
My Prince abandoned me, rending away 
Half of my garment, leaving there his wife, 
Who never wrought him wrong. That lord I seek 
By day and night, with heart and soul on fire, — 
Seek, but still find not ; though he is to me 
Brighter than light which gleams from lotus-cups. 
Divine as are the immortals, dear as breath. 
The master of my life, my pride, my joy ! " 

Whom, grieving so, her sweet eyes blind with tears, 
Gently addressed Subahu's mother, — sad 
To hear as she to tell. " Stay with us here, 



136 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Thou ill-starred lady. Great the friendliness 
I have for thee. The people of our court 
Shall thy lost husband seek ; or, it may be, 
He too will wander hither of himself 
By devious paths : yea, mournful one, thy lord 
Thou wilt regain, abiding with us here." 

And Damayanti, bowing, answered thus 
Unto the Queen : " I will abide with thee, 
O mother of illustrious sons, if so 
They feed me not on orts, nor seek from me 
To wash the feet of comers, nor that I 
Be set to speak with any stranger-men 
Before the curtain ; and, if any man 
Sue me, that he be punished ; and if twice. 
Then that he die, guilty of infamy. 
This is my earnest prayer ; but Brahmanas 
Who seek my husband, or bear news of him, 
Such will I speak with. If it may be thus. 
Gladly would I abide, great lady, here ; 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 137 

If Otherwise, it is not on my mind 
To sojourn longer." 

Very tenderly 
Quoth the queen-mother : " All that thou dost ask 
We will ordain. The gods reward thy love, 
Which hath such honor ! " Comforting her so, 
To the king's daughter, young Sunanda, spake 
The Maharajni : " See, Sunanda, here 
Clad as a handmaid, but in form divine. 
One of thy years, gentle and true. Be friends ; 
Take and give pleasure in glad company 
Each with the other, keeping happy hearts." 

So went Sunanda joyous to her house. 
Leading with loving hand the Princess in, 
The maidens of the court accompanying. 



138 INDIAN IDYLLS. 



Part ^U30* 

Not long (O Maharaj !) was Nala fled 
From Damayanti, when, in midmost gloom 
Of the thick wood a flaming fire he spied, 
And from the fire's lieart heard proceed a voice 
Of one imperilled, crying many times : 
" Haste hither, Punyashloka,^ Nala, haste ! " 
" Fear not," the Prince replied ; " I come ! " and sprang 
Across the burning bushes, where he saw 
A snake — a king of serpents — lying curled 
In a great ring, which reared its dancing crest 
Saluting, and in human accents spoke : 
" Maharaj, kindly lord, I am the snake 
Karkotaka ; by me was once betrayed 
The famous Rishi Narada ; his wrath 
Doomed me, thou Chief of men ! to bear this spell. 

1 " Praised-in-song." 



NALA AND DAMAYANTL 139 

' Coil thy false folds,' said he, ' forever here, 

A serpent, motionless upon this spot, 

Till it shall chance that Nala passeth by 

And bears thee hence ; then only from my curse 

Canst thou be freed.' And prisoned by that curse 

I have no power to stir, though the wood burns ; 

Nay, not a coil ! good fellowship I '11 show 

If thou wilt succor me. I '11 be to thee 

A faithful friend, as no snake ever yet. 

Lift me, and quickly from the flames bear forth : 

For thee I shall grow light." Thereat shrank up 

That monstrous reptile to a finger's length ; 

And grasping this, unto a place secure 

From burning, Nala bore it, where the air 

Breathed freshly, and the fire's black path was stayed. 

Then made the Prince to lay the serpent down. 
But yet again it speaks : " Nishadha's Lord, 
Grasp me and slowly go, counting thy steps ; 
For, Raja, thou shalt have good fortune hence." 



I40 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

So Nala slowly went, counting his steps ; 
And when the tenth pace came, the serpent turned 
And bit the Prince. No sooner pierced that tooth 
Than all the hkeness of Nishadha changed ; 
And, wonder-struck, he gazed upon himself; 
While from the dust he saw the snake arise 
A man, and, speaking as Karkotaka, 
Comfort him thus : — 

" Thou art by me transformed 
That no man know thee : and that evil one 
(Possessing, and undoing thee, with grief) 
Shall so within thee by my venom smart, 
Shall through thy blood so ache, that — till he quit — 
He shall endure the woe he did impart. 
Thus by my potent spell, most noble Prince ! 
(Who sufferest too long) thou wilt be freed 
From him that haunts thee. Fear no more the wood. 
Thou tiger of all princes ! fear thou not 
Horned nor fanged beasts, nor any enemies, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 141 

Though they be Brahmans ! safe thou goest now, 
Guarded from grief and hurt, — Chieftain of men ! 
By this kind poison. In the fields of war 
Henceforth the victory ahvays falls to thee ; 
Go joyous, therefore, Prince ; give thyself forth 
For ' Vahuka, the charioteer : ' repair 
To Rituparna's city, who is skilled 
In play, and dwells in fair Ayodhya. 
Wend thou, Nishadha ! thither ; he will teach 
Great subtlety in numbers unto thee. 
Exchanging this for thine own matchless gift 
Of taming horses. From the lordly line 
Descended of Ikshvaku,^ glad and kind 
The King will be ; and thou, learning of him 
His deepest act of dice, wilt win back all. 
And clasp again thy Princess. Therefore waste 
No thought on woes. I tell thee truth ! thy realm 
Thou shalt regain ; and when the time is come 
That thou hast need to put thine own form on, 

1 The first monarch of the Solar Dynasty. 



142 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Call me to mind, O Prince, and tie this cloth 
Around thy body. Wearing it, thy shape 
Thou shalt resume." 

Therewith the serpent gave 
A magic twofold robe, not wove on earth, 
Which (O thou son of Kuru !) Nala took ; 
And so the snake, transformed, vanished away. 



The great snake being gone, Nishadha's Chief 

Set forth, and on the tenth day entered in 

At Rituparna's town ; there he besought 

The presence of the Raja, and spake thus : 

" I am the chariot-driver, Vahuka. 

There is not on this earth another man 

Hath gifts like mine to tame and guide the steed ; 

Moreover, thou mayst use me in nice needs 

And dangerous, where kings lack faithful hearts. 

Specially seen I am in dressing meats ; ^ 

1 This, it will be remembered, was one of the divine gifts be- 
stowed upon Nala after the Swayamvara. 



NALA AND DAM AY ANT 143 

And whatso other duties may befall, 
Though they be weighty, I shall execute. 
If, Rituparna, thou wilt take me in." 

" I take thee," quoth the King. " Dwell here with me. 
Such service as thou knowest, render us. 
'T is, Vahuka, forever in my heart 
To have my steeds the swiftest ; be thy task 
To train me horses like the wind for speed ; 
My charioteer I make thee, and thy wage 
Ten thousand gold suvernas. Thou wilt have 
For fellows, Varshneya and Jivala ; 
With those abiding, lodge thou happy here." 

So entertained and honored of the King, 
In Ritupama's city Nala dwelled. 
Lodging with Varshneya and Jivala. 

There sojourned he, (my Raja !) thinking stiU 
Of sweet Vidarbha's Princess day by day ; 



144 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And sunset after sunset one sad strain 

He sang : " Where resteth she that roamed the wood 

Hungry and parched and worn, but ahvays true ? 

Doth she remember yet her faultful lord ? 

Ah, who is near her now? " So it befell 

Jivala heard him ever sighing this. 

And questioned : *' Who is she thou dost lament ? 

Say, Vahuka ! fain would I know her name. 

Long life be thine ; but tell me who he is. 

The faultful man that was the lady's lord." 

And Nala answered him : " There lives a man. 
Evil and rash, that had a noble wife. 
False to his word he was ; and thus it fell 
That somewhere, for some reason, (ask not me !) 
He quitted her, this rash one. And — so ^vrenched 
Apart from hers — his spirit, bad and sad. 
Muses and moans, with griefs slow fire consumed 
Night-time and day-time. Thence it is he sings 
At every sunset this unchanging verse, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 145 

An outcast on the earth, by hazard led 
Hither or thither. Such a man thou seest 
Woful, unworthy, holding in his heart 
Always that sin. I was that lady's lord, 
Whom she did follow through the dreadful wood, 
Living by me abandoned, at this hour ; 
If yet, in truth, she lives, — youthful, alone. 
Unpractised in the ways, not meriting 
Fortunes so hard. Ah, if, indeed, she lives, 
Who roamed the thick and boundless forest, full 
Of prowling beasts, — roamed it, my Jivala, 
Unguarded by her guilty lord, — forsook, 
Betrayed, good friend ! " 

Thus did Nishadha grieve. 
Calling sweet Damayanti to his mind. 
So tarried he within the Raja's house. 
And no man knew his place of sojourning. 



10 



146 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

While, stripped of state, the Prince and Princess thus 
Were sunk to servitude, Bhima made quest. 
Sending his Brahmans forth to search for them 
With strait commands, and for their road-money 
Liberal store. " Seek everywhere," said he 
Unto the twice-born, " Nala, — everywhere 
My daughter Damayanti. Whoso comes 
Successful in this quest, discovering her, — 
With lost Nishadha's Lord, — and bringing them, 
A thousand cows to that man will I give, 
And village-lands whence shall be revenue 
As great as from a city. If so be 
Ye cannot bring me Nala and my child, 
To him that learns their refuge I will give 
The thousand cows." 

Thereby rejoiced, they went, 
Those Brahmans, hither and thither, up and down. 
Into all regions, rajaships, and towns, 
Seeking Nishadha's Chieftain, and his wife. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 147 

But Nala nowhere found they ; nowhere found 
Sweet Damayanti, Bhima's beauteous child. 

Until, straying to pleasant Chedipur, 
One day a twice-born came, Sudeva named. 
And entered in ; and, spying round about 
(Upon a feast-day by the King proclaimed), 
He saw forth-passing through the palace-gate 
A woman, — Bhima's daughter, — side by side 
With young Sunanda. Little praise had now 
That beauty which in old days shone so bright ; 
Marred with much grief it was, like sunlight dimmed 
By fold on fold of wreathed and creeping mists. 
But when Sudeva marked the great dark eyes, — 
Lu^reless though they were, and she so worn. 
So listless, — " Lo, the Princess ! " whispered he ; — 
" 'T is the King's daughter," quoth he to himself; 
And thus mused on : — 

" Yea ! as I used to see, 
'T is she ! no other woman hath such grace ! 



148 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

My task is done ; I gaze on that one form, 
Which is hke Lakshmi's, whom all worlds adore, 
I see the bosoms, rounded, dark, and smooth. 
As they were sister-moons ; the soft moon-face 
Which with its queenly light makes all things bright 
Where it doth gleam ; the large deep lotus-eyes. 
That, like to Rati's own, the Queen of Love, 
Beam, each a lovelit star, filling the worlds 
With longing. Ah, fair lotus-flower, plucked up 
By Fate's hard grasp from far Vidarbha's pool, 
How is thy cup muddied and slimed to-day ! 
Ah, moon, how is thy night like to the eclipse 
When Rahu swallows up the silver round ! 
Ah, tearless eyes, reddened with weeping him. 
How are ye like to gentle streams run dry ! 
Ah, lake of lilies, where griefs elephant 
Hath swung his trunk, and turned the crystal black. 
And scattered all the blue and crimson cups, 
And frightened off the birds ! Ah, lily-cup, 
Tender, and delicately leaved, and reared 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 149 

To blossom in a palace built of gems, 
How dost thou wither here, wrenched by the root, 
Sun-scorched and faded ! Noblest, loveliest, best ! — 
Who bear'st no gems, yet so becomest them, — 
How like the new moon's silver honi thou art. 
When envious black clouds blot it ! Lost for thee 
Are love, home, children, friends, and kinsmen ; lost 
All joy of that fair body thou dost wear 
Only that it may last to find thy lord. 
^Truly a woman's ornament is this : 
The husband is her jewel ; lacking him 
She hath none, though she shines with priceless pearls ; 
Piteous must be her state ! And, torn from her, 
Doth Nala cling to life ; or, day by day, 
Waste with long yearning. Oh, as I behold 
Those black locks, and those eyes, — dark and long-shaped 
As are the hundred-petalled lotus-leaves, — 
And watch her joyless who deserves all joy. 
My heart is sore ! When will she overpass 
The river of this sorrow, and come safe 



150 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Unto its farther shore ? When will she meet 

Her lord, as moon and moon-star ^ in the sky 

Mingle ? For, as I think, in winning her, 

Nala would win his happy days again. 

And — albeit banished now — have back his lands. 

Alike in years and graces, and alike 

In lordly race these were : no bride could seem 

Worthy Nishadha, if it were not she ; 

Nor husband worthy of Vidarbha's Pride, 

Save it were Nala. It is meet I bring 

Comfort forthwith to yon despairing one, 

The consort of the just and noble Prince, 

For whom I see her heart-sick. I will go 

And speak good tidings to this moon-faced Queen, 

Who once knew nought of sorrows, but to-day 

Stands yonder, plunged heart-deep in woful thought." 

So, all those signs and marks considering 
Which stamped her Bhima's child, Sudeva drew 
1 Rohini, the fourth lunar asterism. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 151 

Nearer, and said : " Vidarbhi, Nala's wife, 
I am the Brahmana Sudeva, friend 
Unto my lord, thy brother, and I come 
'Qy royal Bhima's mandate seeking thee. 
That Maharaj, thy father, dwells in health ; 
Thy mother and thy house are well j and well — 
With promise of long years — thy little ones, 
Sister and brother. Yet, for thy sake. Queen, 
Thy kindred sit as men -with spirit gone ; 
In search of thee a hundred twice-born rove 
Over all lands." 

But (O Kmg Yudhisthir !) 
Hardly one word she heard before she broke 
With question after question on the man, 
Asking of tliis dear friend and that and this ; 
All mingled with quick tears, and tender sighs. 
And hungry gazing on her brother's friend, 
Sudeva — best of Brahmanas — come there. 
Which soon Sunanda marked, watching them speak 



152 IMMAX mVLLS. 

Apart, and Paniayanii all in tca.i-s. 
Then (.-anio she to her nunhcr. saying : " Soo. 
The haiulmaid ihon didst give nio talks below 
With one who is a ruahmaii, all hcv words 
Watered willi weeiMng : if thou wilt, dem;md 
^Vhat this man knows." 

Therewith swept fortli aiiiazed 
The motlier of the Raja, aiid K^held 
How N.Ua's wife spake with the Biulunana. 
Whom straight she bade them summon ; and, beuig 

ba^ught, 
In this wise questioned : ** Kno\\"est thou whose \>*ife. 
Whose daughter, this one is ; and how she left 
Her kin : and wherefore, being lieavenly-eyed 
And noNe-mannercd, slie hath \\-;mdered here ? 
I am full fain to hear this ; tell me all, 
N o w hit withholdiiYg ; mi^wer foithfuUy. 

« 

Who is our sla\x^girl with the gv)ddess gait ? " 



XALA AND DAMAVAXTI. 153 

The Brahuuma Siide\-:i, sv> addR>$st\l, 
Seating himself at ease, unto the Queen 
Told Daina>-anii*s $ior}\ how all tell. 



SiTVKYA said : " There reigns in nwjesty 
King Bhima at Vidarbha ; and of him 
The Princess Dama}-anti heie is child ; 
And Virasena's son, Nal;i, is Lord 
0\-er Nishadha, praised- in-song and wise ; 
And of iliat Prince this lady is the wife. 
In play his tarothex \\x>r5ted Xala ; stripped 
Of lands and wealth the Prince ; who fled his realm. 
Wandering with Damayanti, — where, none knew. 
In quest of Dama^^anti we ha\-e nxunevi 
The earth's f.ice o'er, until I found hex here 
In thy son's house, the King's, — the \-eiy same, 
^ice like to hex (or grace no woman U\*es 
Of all fiiix \s-omen. Where hex eyebrows meet 
A prett>- mole, bom with hex, should be seen 



154 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

A little lotus-bud — not visible 
By reason of the dust of toil which clouds 
Her face and veils its moonlike beauty — that 
The wondrous Maker ^ on the rare work stamped 
To be His mark. But as the waxing moon 
Goes thin and darkling for a while, then rounds 
The crescent's rims with splendors, so this Queen 
Hath lost not queenliness. Being now obscured, 
Soiled with the grime of chores, unbeautified, 
She shows true gold. The fire which trieth gold 
Denoteth less itself by instant heat 
Than Damayanti by her gdodhhood. 
At first sight knew I her. She bears that mole." 

Whilst yet Sudeva spake, (O King of men !) 
Sunanda from the slave's front washed away 
The gathered dust, and forth that mark appeared 
'Twixt Damayanti's brows, as when clouds break, 
And in the sky the moon, the night- maker,^ 

1 The Sanskrit word is Dhdtri. 

2 The Sanskrit epithet is Nisdkara. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 155 

Glitters to view. Seeing the spot awhile, 

Sunanda and the mother of the King 

Gazed voiceless ; then they clasped her neck and wept 

Rejoicing, till the Queen, staying her tears, 

Exclaimed : " My sister's daughter, dear ! thou art, 

By this same mark. Thy mother and myself 

Were sisters by one father, — he that rules 

Bahama, King Sudaman. She was given 

To Bhima, and to Virabahu I. 

Once at Dasarna, in my father's house, 

I saw thee, newly born. Thy race and mine, • 

Princess, are one : henceforward, therefore, here 

As I am, Damayanti, shalt thou be." 

With gladdened heart did Damayanti bend 
Before her mother's sister, answering thus : 
" Peaceful and thankful dwelled I here with thee, 
Being unknown, my every need supplied, 
My life and honor by thy succor safe. 
Yet, Maharajni, even than this dear home 



156 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

One would be dearer : 't is so many days 
Since we were parted. Suffer me to go 
Where those my tender little ones were led ; 
So long — poor babes ! — of me and of their sire 
Bereft. If, lady, thou dost think to show 
Kindness to me, this is my wish : to wend 
Unto Vidarbha swiftly ; wilt thou bid 
They bear me thither? " 

Was no sooner heard 
That fond desire, than the queen-mother gave 
WilHng command ; and soon an ample troop, 
The King consenting, gathered for her guard. 
So was she sent upon a palanquin, 
With soldiers, pole-bearers, and meat and drink, 
And garments as befitted — happier — home. 

Thus to Vidarbha came its Pride again. 
By no long road ; and joyously her kin 
Brought the sweet Princess in, and welcomed her. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 157 

In peace and safety all her house she found ; 
Her children well ; — father and mother, friends. 
The gods she worshipped, and to Brahmanas 
Due reverence made, and whatso else was meet 
That Damayanti did, regal in aU. 
To wise Sudeva fell the thousand cows 
By Bhima granted, with the village-lands, 
And goodly gifts beside. 

But when there passed 
One night of rest within the palace-walls, 
The wistful Princess to her mother said : 
" If thou wouldst have me live, I tell thee true, 
Dear mother, it must be by bringing back 
My Nala, my own lord ; and only so." 

When this she spake, right sorrowful became 
The Rani, weeping silently, nor gave 
One word of answer ; and the palace-girls, 
Seeing this grief, sat round them, weeping too. 



158 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And crying : " Haha ! where is gone her lord? " 
And loud the lamentation was of all. 

Afterwards to the Maharaj his Queen 
Told what was said : " Lord ! all uncomforted 
Thy daughter Damayanti weeps and grieves, 
Lacking her husband. Even to me she spake 
Before our damsels, laying shame aside ; 
' Find Nala ; let the people of the court 
Strive day and night to learn where Nala is.' " 

Then Bhima, hearing, called his Brahmanas 
Patient and wise, and issued hest to go 
Into all regions, seeking for the Prince. 
But first, by mandate of the Maharaj, 
To Damayanti all those twice-born came. 
Saying : " Now we depart ! " Then Bhima's child 
Gave ordinance : "To whatsoever lands 
Ye wend, say this, — wherever gather men. 
Say this, — in every place these verses speak : — 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 159 

Whither art thou departed, cruel lover, 

Who stole the half of thy beloved's cloth, 
And left her to awake?!, and discover 
JThe wroftg thou wroughtest to the love of both 1 

She, as thou didst commafid, a sad watch keepeth, 
With woful heart wearing the rended dress. 

Prince, hear her cry who thus forever weepeth ; 
Be mindful, hero ; comfort her distress I 

And, furthermore," the Princess said, " since fire 
Leaps into flame when the wind fans the spark, 
Be this too spoken, that his heart may burn : — 

By every husband nourished and protected 

Should every wife be. Think upon the wood ! 

Why these thy duties hast thou so neglected. 
Prince, that wast called noble and true and good? 

Art then becoffie coffipassionate no lojiger. 

Shunning, perchance, my fortune's broken way ? 



l6o INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Ah, husbafid, love is 77iost ! let love be stronger ; 
Ahimsa paro dharma,^ thou didst say. 

These verses while ye speak," quoth the Princess, 

" Should any man make answer, note him well 

In any place ; and who he is, and where 

He dwells. And if one listens to these words 

Intently, and shall so reply to them. 

Good Brahmans, hold ye fast his speech, and bring. 

Breath by breath, all of it unto me here ; 

But so that he shall know not whence ye speak. 

If ye go back. Do this unweariedly j 

And if one answer, — be he high or low. 

Wealthy or poor, — learn all he was and is, 

And what he would." 

Hereby enjoined, they went, 
Those twice-born, into all the lands to seek 
Prince Nala in his loneliness. Through towns, 

1 " Gentleness is chief of virtues." 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. i6i 

Cities and villages, hamlets and camps, 

By shepherds' huts and hermits' caves, they passed, 

Searching for Nala ; yet they found him not ; 

Albeit in every region (O my king !) 

The words of Damayanti, as she taught, 

Spake they again in hearing of all men. 



Suddenly — after many days — there came 
A Brahman back, Parnada he was called, 
Who unto Bhima's child in this wise spake : 
" O Damayanti, seeking Nala still, 
Ayodhya's streets I entered, where I saw 
The Maharaj ; he — noble-minded one ! — 
Heard me thy verses say, as thou hadst said ; 
Great Ritupama heard those very words, 
Excellent Princess ; but he answered nought ; 
And no man answered, out of all the throng 
Ofttimes addressed. But when I had my leave 
And was withdrawn, a man accosted me 

II 



i62 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Privately, — one of Rituparna's train, 

Vahuka named, the Raja's charioteer 

(Something misshapen, with a shrunken arm, 

But skilled in driving, very dexterous 

In cookery and sweetmeats). He -^ with groans. 

And tears which rolled and rolled — asked of my health, 

And then these verses spake full wistfully : — 

Even when their loss is largest, noble ladies 
Keep the true tr easier e of their hearts wispent, 

Attainijig heaven through faith, which imdismayed is 
By wrong, unaltered by abando?imenf ; 

Such an 07ie guards with virtue's golden shield 

Her name fro7n har77i ; pious a7id pure and tender ; 

A7id, though her lord forsook her, luill 7iot yield 
To wrath, even against that vile offe7ider, — 

Eve7i agai7ist the rui7ied, rash, imgrateful, 

Faithless, fo7id Prince froTn whom the birds did steal 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 163 

His OJily cloth, whom now a penance fateful 
Dooms to sad days, that dark-eyed will not feel 

Anger ; for if she saw him she should see 

A ma7i consumed with grief and loss and shame ; 

III or well lodged, ever in misery, 

Her unthroned lord, a slave without a name. 

Such words I heard him speak," Pamada said, 
" And, hastening thence, I tell them to thee, here ; 
Thou knowest ; thou wilt judge ; make the King know." 

But Damayanti hstened, with great eyes 
Welling quick tears, while thus Parnada spake, 
And aftenvards crept secretly and said 
Unto her mother : " Breathe no word hereof. 
Dear mother, to the King, but let me speak 
With wise Sudeva in thy presence here ; 
Nothing should Bhima know of what I plan, 
But, if thou lovest me, by thee and me 



1 64 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

This shall be wrought. As I was safely led 
By good Sudeva home, so let him go — 
With not less happy fortune — to bring back, 
Ere many days, my Nala ; let him seek 
Ayodhya, mother dear, and fetch my Prince ! " 

But first Parnada, resting from his road, — 
That best of twice-borns, — did the Princess thank 
With honorable words and gifts : "If home 
My Nala cometh. Brahman ! " so she spake, 
" Great guerdon will I give. Thou hast well done 
For me herein, — better than any man ; 
Helping me find again my wandered lord." 
To which fair words made soft reply, and prayers 
For "peace and fortune," that high-minded one. 
And so passed home, his service being wrought. 

Next to Sudeva spake the sad Princess 
This, (O my King !) her mother standing by : 
" Good Brahman, to Ayodhya's city go. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 1 65 

Say in the ears of Raja Rituparn, 

As though thou cam'st a simple traveller/ 

* The daughter of King Bhima once again 

Maketli.to hold her high Swayamvara. 

The kings and princes from all lands repair 

Thither ; the time draws nigh ; to-morrow's dawn 

Shall bring the day. If thou wouldst be of it, 

Speed quickly, conquering King ! at sunsetting 

Another lord she chooseth for herself; 

Since whether Nala liveth or is dead, 

None knoweth.' " 

These the words which he should say ; 
And, learning them, he sped, and thither came, — 
That Brahmana Sudeva, — and he spake 
To Maharaja Ritupama so. 



- 1 The Sanskrit word is Kamaga, the exact equivalent of "pleas- 
ure-tourist." 



1 66 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Now when the Raja Rituparna heard 
Sudeva's words, quoth he to Vahuka 
Full pleasantly : " Much mind I have to go 
Where Damayanti holds Swayamvara, 
If to Vidarbha, in a single day, 
Thou deemest we might drive, my charioteer ! " 

Of Nala, by his Raja thus addressed, 
Torn was the heart with anguish ; for he thought : 
" Can Damayanti purpose this ? Could grief 
So change her ? Is it not some fine device 
For my sake schemed ? Or doth my Princess seek. 
All holy as she was, this guilty joy. 
Being so wronged of me, her rash weak lord? 
Frail is a woman's heart, and my fault great ! 
Thus might she do it, being far from home. 
Bereft of friends, desolate with long woes 
Of love for me, — my slender- waisted one ! 
Yet no, no, no ! she would not, — she that is 
My children's mother ! Be it false or true, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 167 

Best shall I know in going ; therefore now 
The will of Rituparna must I serve." 

- Thus pondering in his mind, the troubled Prince 
With joined palms meekly to his master said : 
" I shall thy hest accompHsh ! I can drive 
In one day, Raja, to Vidarbha's gates." 

Then in the royal stables — steed by steed, 
StalUons and mares, Vahuka scanned them all. 
By Rituparna prayed quickly to choose. 
Slowly he picked four coursers, under-fleshed, 
But big of bone and sinew ; fetlocked well 
For journeying ; high-bred, heavy-framed ; of blood 
To match the best, yet gentle ; blemish-free ; 
Broad in the jaw, with scarlet nostrils spread ; 
Bearing the Avarthas} the ten true marks, — 
Reared on the banks of Indus, swift as wind. 

1 These are spots where the hair curls round, as upon the crown 
of the human head. 



1 68 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Which, when the Raja looked upon, he cried, 
Half- wrathful : '' What thing thinkest thou to do? 
Wilt thou betray me ? How should sorry beasts, 
Lean-ribbed and ragged, take us all that way, 
The long road we must swiftly travel hence ? " 

Vahuka answered : " See on all these four 
The ten sure marks : one curl upon each crest. 
Two on the cheeks, two upon either flank. 
Two on the breast, and on each crupper one. 
These to Vidarbha — doubt it not — will go ; 
Yet, Raja, if thou wilt have others, speak ; 
And I shall yoke them." 

Ritupama said : 
" I know thou hast deep skill in stable-craft ; 
Yoke therefore such four coursers as thou wilt, 
But quickly ! " 

Thus those horses, two by two. 
High-mettled, spare, and strong. Prince Nala put 



NALA AND DAMAYANTL 169 

Under the bars ; and when the car was hitched, 
And eagerly the Raja made to mount, 
At sign the coursers bent their knees, and lay 
Along the earth. Then Nala, (O my King !) 
With kindly voice cheering the gaunt bright steeds, 
Loosed them, and grasped the reins, and bade ascend 
Varshneya : so he started, headlong, forth. 

At cry of Vahuka the four steeds sprung 
Into the air, as they would fly with him ; 
And when the Raja felt them, fleet as wind, 
Whirling along, mute sat he and amazed ; 
And much Varshneya mused to hear and see 
The thundering of those wheels ; the fiery four 
So lightly held ; Vahuka's matchless art. 
" Is MataH, who driveth Indra's car. 
Our charioteer ? for all the marks of him 
Are here ! or Sahhotra can this be. 
The god of horses, knowing all their ways. 
Who here in mortal form his greatness hides ? 



lyo INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Or is it — can it be — Nala the Prince, 
Nala the steed- tamer ? " Thus pondered he : 
" Whatever Nala knew this one doth know. 
Alike the mastery seems of both ; alike 
I judge their years. If this man be not he, 
Two Nalas are there in the world for skill. 
They say there wander mighty powers on earth 
In strange disguises, who, divinely sprung. 
Veil themselves from us under human mould j 
Bewilderment it brings me, this his shape 
Misshapen, — from conclusion that alone 
Withholds me j yet I wist not what to think, 
In age and manner like, — and so unlike 
In form ! Else Vahuka I must have deemed 
Nala, with Nala's gifts." 

So in his heart 
Varshneya, watching, wondered, — being himself 
The second charioteer. But Rituparn 
Sat joyous with the speed, delightedly 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 171 

Marking the driving of the Prince : the eyes 
Attent ; the hand so firm upon the reins j 
The skill so quiet, wise, and masterful ; 
G«eat joy the Maharaja had to see. 



By stream and mountain, woodland-path and pool. 
Swiftly, hke birds that skim in air, they sped ; 
Till, as the chariot plunged, the Raja saw 
His shoulder-mantle falling to the ground ; 
And — loath to lose the robe — albeit so pressed, 
To Nala cried he, " Let me take it up ; 
Check the swift horses, wondrous charioteer ; 
And bid Varshneya hght, and fetch my cloth." 
But Nala answered : " Far it lies behind ; 
A yojana abeady we have passed ; 
We cannot turn again to pick it up." 

A little onward Ritupama saw 
Within the wood a tall Myrobolan 



172 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Heavy with fruit ; hereat, eager he cried : 

" Now, Vahuka, my skill thou mayst behold 

In the Arithmic. All arts no man knows ; 

Each hath his wisdom, but in one man*s wit 

Is perfect gift of one thing, and not more. 

From yonder tree how many leaves and fruits, 

Think'st thou, lie fall'n there upon the earth? 

Just one above a thousand of the leaves, 

And one above a hundred of the fruits ; 

And on those two limbs hang, of dancing leaves. 

Five crores exact ; and shouldst thou pluck yon boughs 

Together with their shoots, on those twain boughs 

Swing twice a thousand nuts and ninety-five ! " 

Vahuka checked the chariot wonderingly. 
And answered : " Imperceptible to me 
Is what thou boastest, slayer of thy foes ! 
But I to proof will put it, hewing down 
The tree, and, having counted, I shall know. 
Before thine eyes the branches twain I '11 lop : 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 1 73 

How prove thee, Maharaja, otherwise, 

Whether this be or be not ? I will count 

One by one — fruits and leaves — before thee, King ; 

Varshneya, for a space, can rein the steeds." 

To him replied the Raja : " Time is none 
Now to delay." 

Vahuka answered quick 
(His own set purpose serving) : "Stay this space, 
Or by thyself drive on ! The road is good, 
The son of Vrishni will be charioteer ! " 

On that the Raja answered soothingly : 
" There is not in the earth another man 
That hath thy skill ; and by thy skill I look 
To reach Vidarbha, O thou steed-tamer ! 
Thou art my trust ; make thou not hindrance now ! 
Yet would I suffer, too, what thou dost ask, 
If thou couldst surely reach Vidarbha's gate 
Before yon sun hath sunk." 



174 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Nala replied : 
" When I have counted those vibhitak boughs, 
Vidarbha I will reach ; now keep thy word." 

Ill pleased, the Raja said : " Halt then, and count ! 
Take one bough from the branch which I shall show, 
And tell its fruits, and satisfy thy soul." 

So leaping from the car — eager he shore 
The boughs, and counted ; and all wonder-struck 
To Rituparna spake : " Lo, as thou saidst 
So many fruits there be upon this bough ! 
Exceeding marvellous is this thy gift, 
I burn to know such learning, how it comes." 

Answered the Raja, for his journey fain : 
" My mind is quick with numbers, skilled to count ; 
I have the science." 

" Give it me, dear Lord ! " 
Vahuka cried : " teach me, I pray, this lore, 
And take from me my skill in horse-taming." 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 175 

Quoth Rituparn — impatient to proceed — 
Yet of such skill desirous : " Be it so ! 
As thou hast prayed, receive my secret art, 
Exchanging with me here thy mastery 
Of horses." 

Thereupon did he impart 
His rules of numbers, taking Nala's too. 

But wonderful ! So soon as Nala knew 
That hidden gift, the accursed Kali leapt 
Forth from his breast, the evil spirit's mouth 
Spewing the poison of Karkotaka 
Even as he issued. From the afflicted Prince 
That bitter plague of Kali passed away ; 
And for a space Prince Nala lost himself. 
Rent by the agony. But when he saw 
The evil one take visible shape again, — 
Free from the serpent's poison, — Nishadh's Lord 
Had thought to curse him then ; but KaU stood 



176 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

With clasped palms, trembling, and besought the Prince, 

Saying : " Thy wrath restrain, Sovereign of men ! 

I will repay thee well. Thy virtuous wife, . ' 

Indrasen's angered mother, laid her ban 

Upon me when thou didst forsake her ; since 

Within thee have I dwelled in anguish sore, 

Tortured and tossed and burning, night and day. 

With venom from the great snake's fang, which passed 

Into me by thy blood. Be pitiful ! 

I take my refuge in thy mercy ! Hear 

My promise. Prince ! Wherever men henceforth 

Shall name thee before people, praising thee. 

This shall protect them from the dread of me ; 

Nala shall guard from Kali, if so now 

Thou spare to curse me, seeking grace of thee." 

Thus supplicated, Nala stayed his wrath, 
Acceding ; and the direful Kali fled 
Into the wounded tree, possessing it. 
But of no eyes, save Nala's, was he seen, 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 177 

Nor heard of any other ; and the Prince, 

His sorrows shaking off, when KaU passed, 
After that numbering of the leaves, in joy 
Unspeakable, and glowing with new hope. 
Mounted the car again, and urged his steeds. 
But from that hour the tall Myrobolan, 
Possessed by Kali, stood there, sear and dead. 

Then onward, onward, speeding hke the birds. 
Those coursers flew ; and fast and faster still 
The glad Prince cheered them forward, all elate : 
And proudly rode the Raja toward the walls 
Of high Vidarbha. Thus did journey down 
Exultant Nala, free of trouble now. 
Quit of the evil spell, but bearing still 
His form misshapen, and the shrunken hmb. 



At sunset in Vidarbha (O great King !) 
The watchers on the walls proclaimed, " There comes 



12 



178 INDIAN IDV^LLS. 

The Raja Ritupama ! " Bhima bade 

Open the gates ; and thus they entered in. 

Making all quarters of the city shake 

With rattling of the chariot-wheels. But when 

The horses of Prince Nala heard that sound, 

For joy they neighed, as when of old their lord 

Drew nigh. And Damayanti, in her bower. 

Far off that rattling of the chariot heard, 

As when at time of rains is heard the voice 

Of clouds low thundering ; and her bosom thrilled 

At echo of that ringing sound. It came 

Loud and more loud, like Nala's, when of old. 

Gripping the reins, he cheered his mares along. 

It seemed like Nala to the Princess then, — 

That clatter of the trampling of the hoofs ; 

It seemed like Nala to the' stabled steeds : 

Upon the palace-roof the peacocks heard 

And screamed ; the elephants within their stalls 

Heard it and trumpeted ; the coursers, tied. 

Snorted for joy to hear that leaping car ; 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 179 

Peacocks and elephants and cattle stalled 
All called and clamored with uplifted heads. 
As wild things do at noise of coming rain. 

Then to herself the Princess spake : " This car, 
The rolling of it, echoing all around, 
Gladdens my heart. It must be Nala comes, 
My King of men ! If I see not, this day. 
My Prince that hath the bright and moonlike face, 
My hero of unnumbered gifts, my lord, 
Ah, I shall die ! If this day fall I not 
Into his opening arms, — at last, at last, — 
And feel his close embrace, oh, beyond doubt, 
I cannot live ! If — ending all — to-day 
Nishadha cometh not, with this deep sound 
Like far-off thunder, then to-night I '11 leap 
Into the golden, flickering, fiery flames ! 
If now, now, now, my Hon draws not nigh, 
My warrior-love, like the wild elephant, 
My Prince of princes, — I shall surely die ! 



i8o INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Nought call I now to mind he said or did 
That was not rightly said and justly done. 
No idle word he spake, even in free speech ; 
Patient and lordly ; generous to bestow 
Beyond all givers ; scorning to be base, 
Yea, even in secret, — such Nishadha was. 
Alas ! when, day and night, I think of him, 
How is my heart consumed, reft of its joy ! " 

So meditating, like one torn by thoughts, 
She mounted to the palace-roof to see ; 
And thence, in the mid-court, the car beheld 
Arriving. Rituparn and Vahuka 
She saw, with Vrishni's son, descend and loose 
The panting horses, wheeling back the car. 

Then Rituparn, alighting, sought the King, 
Bhima the Maharaja, far-renowned, — 
Whom Bhima with fair courtesies received ; 
Since well he deemed such breathless visit made 



NALA AND DAMAYANTL l8l 

With deep cause, knowing not the women's plots. 

" Swdgatam/'' cried he; "what hath brought thee, 

Prince? " 
For nothing wist he that the Raja came 
Suitor of Damayanti. Questioned so, 
This Raja Rituparna, wise and brave, 
Seeing no kings nor princes in the court, 
Nor noise of the Swayamvara, nor crowd 
Of Brahmans gathering, — weighing all those things, 
Answered in this wise : " I am come, great Lord, 
To make thee salutations ! " But the King 
Laughed in his beard at Rituparna's word, — 
That this of many weary yojanas 
Should be the mark. " Ahoswid ! Hath he passed 
Through twenty towns," thought he, " and hither flown 
To bid good-morrow? Nay, it is not that. 
Good ! I shall know it when he bids me know." 

Thereat, with friendly speech his noble guest 
The King to rest dismissed. " Repose thyself," 



l82 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

He said ; " the road was long ; weary thou art." 

And Rituparn, with sentences of grace 

Replying to this graciousness, was led 

By slaves to the allotted sleeping-room ; 

And after Rituparn, Varshneya went. 

Vahuka, left alone, the chariot ran 

Into its shed, and from the foamy steeds 

Unbuclded all the harness, thong by thong, 

Speaking soft words to them ; then sat him down, 

Alone, forgotten, on the driving-seat. 

But Damayanti, seeing Rituparn, 
And Vrishni's son, and him called Vahuka, 
Spake sorrowful : ^' Whose was the thunder, then 
Of that fleet car ? It seemed like Nala's own ; 
Yet here I see no Nala ! Hath yon man 
My lord's art learned, or th' other one, that thus 
Their car should thunder as when Nala comes? 
Could Rituparna drive as Nala doth, 
So that those chariot- wheels should sound like his? " 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 183 

And, after having pondered, (O my King !) 
The beauteous Princess sent her handmaiden 
To Vahuka, that she might question him. 



" Go, Keshini," the Princess said ; " inquire 
Who is that man upon the driving-seat, 
Misshapen, Vith the shrunken arm. Approach 
Composedly, question him winningly 
With greetings kind, and bid him answer thee 
According to the truth. I feel at heart 
A doubt — a hope — that this, perchance, may be 
My Lord and Prince ; there is some new-bom joy 
Fluttering within my breast. Accost him, girl ; 
And, ere thou partest, what Pamada said, 
Say thou, and hear him answer, blameless one. 
And bring it on thy lips ! " 

Then went the maid 
Demurely, and accosted Vahuka, 
While Damayanti watched them from the roof. 



l84 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" Kushalajn te bravimi, — health and peace 
I wish thee ! " said she. " Wilt thou answer true 
What Damayanti asks ? She sends to ask 
Whence set ye forth, and wherefore are ye come 
Hither? Vidarbha's Princess fain would know." 

" 'T was told my Raja," Vahuka replied, 
" That Damayanti for the second turn 
Holds her Swayamvara : the Brahman's word 
Was, "This shall be to-morrow." So he sped, 
Hearing that news, with steeds which in one day 
Fly fifty yojanas, swift as the winds. 
Exceeding fleet. His charioteer am I." 

" Who, then," Keshini asked, " is he that rode 
The third ? whence cometh he, and what his race ? 
And thou thyself whence sprung ? and tell me why 
Thou servest thus ? " 

Then Vahuka replied : 
" Varshneya is the third who rode with us. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 185 

The famous charioteer of Nala he : 
When thy Prince fled, he went to Koshala 
And took our service. I in horse-taming 
And dressing meat have skill ; so am I made 
King Rituparna's driver and his cook." 

" Knoweth Varshneya, then, where Nala fled? " 
Inquired the maid ; " and did he tell thee this, 
Or what spake he ? " 

" Of that unhappy Prince 
He brought the children hither, and then went 
Even where he would, of Nala wotting nought ; 
Nor wotteth any man, fair damsel ! more. 
Hidden from mortal eyes Nishadha lives, 
Wandering the world, his very body changed. 
Of Nala only Nala's own heart knows, 
And by no sign doth he bewray himself." 

Keshini said : " That Brahman who did wend 
First to Ayodhya bore a verse to say 



l86 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Over and over, everywhere, — strange words, 
Wove by a woman's wit. Listen to these : — 

Whither art thou departed^ cruel lover, 

Who stole the half of thy beloved'' s cloth. 
And left her to awaken, ajid discover 

The wrong thou wroughtest to the love of both ? 

She, as thou didst command, a sad watch keepeth. 
With woful heart wearing the rended dress. 

Prince, hear her cry who thus forever weepeth ; 
Be mindful, hero ; comfort her distress I 

What was it thou didst utter, hearing this ? 
Some gentle speech ! Say it again, — the Queen, 
My peerless mistress, fain would know from me. 
Nay, on thy faith, when thou didst hear that man, 
What was it thou repliedst? She would know." 

# 

(Descendant of the Kurus !) Nala's heart, 
While so the maid spoke, well-nigh burst with grief, 



I 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 187 

And from his eyes fast flowed the rolling tears ; 
But, mastering his anguish, holding down 
The passion of his pain, with voice which strove 
To speak through sobs, the Prince repeated this : — 

" Even agamst the ruined^ rash, ungrateful^ 

Faithless, fond Prince, from whom the birds did steal 

His only cloth, whom now a penance fateful 
Dooms to sad days, that dark-eyed will not feel 

Anger ; for if she saw him she should see 

A man consumed with grief and loss and shame ; 

III or well lodged, ever in misery, 

Her unthroned lord, a slave without a ttame.''* 

Speaking these verses, woful Nala moaned. 
And, overcome by thought, restrained no more 
His trickling tears ; fast broke they forth (O King !). 
But Keshini, returning, told his words 
To Damayanti, and the grief of him. 



l88 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

When Damayanti heard, sore-troubled still, 
Yet in her heart supposing him her Prince, 
Again she spake : " Go, Keshini, and watch 
Whatever this man doeth ; near him stand, 
Holding thy peace, and mark the ways of him 
And all his acts, going and coming ; note 
If aught there be of strange in any deed. 
Let them not give him fire, my girl, — not though 
This hindereth sore ; nor water, though he ask 
Even with beseeching. Afterward observe, 
And bring me what befalls, and every sign 
Of earthly or unearthly power he shows ; 
And whatsoever else Vahuka doth, 
See it, and say." 

Thereon Keshini sped, 
Obeying Damayanti, and — at hand — 
Whatever by that horse-tamer was wrought. 
The damsel watched, and all his ways ; and came 
Back to the Princess, unto whom she told 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 189 

Each thing Vahuka did, as it befell, 

And what the signs were, and the wondrous works 

Of earthly and unearthly gifts in him. 

" Subhe ! " 1 quoth she, " the man is magical, 
But high and holy mannered ; never yet 
Saw I another such, nor heard of him. 
Passing the low door of the inner coiyt, 
Where one must stoop, he did not bow his head, 
But as he came the lintel lifted up 
And gave him space. Bhima the King had sent 
Many and diverse meats for Ritupam, 
Of beast and bird and fish, — great store of food, — 
The which to cleanse some chatties stood hard by. 
All empty j yet he did but look on them, 
Wishful, and lo ! the water brimmed the pots. 
Then, having washed the meats, he hastened forth 
In quest of fire, and, holding towards the sun 
A knot of withered grass, the bright flame blazed 

1 "O Beautiful Onel" 



IQO INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Instant amidst it. Wonderstruck was I 

This miracle to see, and hither ran 

With other strangest marvels to impart : 

For, Princess, when he touched the blazing grass 

He was not burned, and water flows for him 

At will, or ceases flowing ; ^ and this, too. 

The strangest thing of all, did I behold, — 

He took some faded leaves and flowers up, 

And idly handled them ; but while his hands 

Toyed with them, lo ! they blossomed forth again 

With lovelier hfethan ever, and fresh scent, 

Straight on their stalks. These marvels have I seen, 

And fly back now to tell thee, mistress dear ! " 

But when she knew such wonders of the man. 
More certainly she deemed those acts and gifts 
Betokened Nala ; and so minded, full 
Of trust to find her lord in Vahuka, 

1 These were some among the special gifts, it will be recalled, 
given by the gods, after the Swayamvara, to Nala. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 191 

With happier tears and softening voice she said 
To Keshini : " Speed yet again, my girl ; 
And, while he wots not, from the kitchen take 
Meat he hath dressed, and bring it here to me." 

So went the maid, and, waiting secretly, 
Brake from the mess a morsel, hot and spiced, 
And, bearing it with faithful swiftness, gave 
To Damayanti. She (O Kuru King !) — 
That knew so well the dishes dressed by him — 
Touched, tasted it, and, laughing — weeping — cried, 
Beside herself with joy : " Yes, yes ; 't is he ! 
That charioteer is Nala ! " Then, a-pant. 
Even while she washed her mouth,^ she bade the maid 
Go with the children twain to Vahuka ; 
^ Who, when he saw his Httle Indrasen 

1 Like a well-bred and pious lady, the utmost emotion does not 
make Damayanti forget her religious duties. The Law of Manu 
enjoins (v. 145): "After sleep, after sneezing, eating, drinking, 
spitting, telling untruths, and before reading the sacred books, let 
every one, though pure, wash out the mouth." 



192 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And Indrasena, started up, and ran, 
And caught, and folded them upon his breast ; 
Holding them there, his darhngs, each as fair 
As children of the gods. Then, quite undone 
With love and yearning, loudly sobbed the Prince. 

Until, perceiving Keshini, who waltched, 
Shamed to be known, he set his children down. 
And said : " In sooth, good friend, this lovely pair 
So like mine own are, that at seeing them 
I am surprised into these foohsh tears. 
Thou comest here too often ; men will think 
Thee light, or me ; remember, we are here. 
Strangers and guests, girl ! Go thy ways in peace ! " 



But seeing that great trouble of his soul. 
Lightly came Keshini, and pictured all 
To Damayanti. She, burning to know 
If truly this were Nala, bade the girl 



I 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 193 

Seek the Queen's presence, saying thus for her : 
" Mother ! long watching Vahuka, I deem 
The charioteer is Nala. One doubt lives, — 
His altered form. I must myself have speech 
With Vahuka ; thou, therefore, bid him come. 
Or suffer me to seek him. Be this done 
Forthwith, good mother ! — whether known or not 
Unto the Maharaja." 

When she heard, 
The Queen told Bhima what the Princess prayed, 
Who gave consent ; and having this good leave 
From father and from mother, (O my King !) 
Command was sent that Vahuka be brought 
Where the court ladies lodged. 

So met those twain j 
And when Prince Nala*s gaze fell on his wife, 
He stood with beating heart and tearful eyes. 
And when sweet Damayanti looked on him, 

13 



194 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

She could not speak for anguish of keen joy 
To have him close ; but sat there, mute and wan, 
Wearing a sad-hued cloth, her lustrous hair 
Falling unhanded, and the mourning-mark 
Stamped in gray ashes on her lovely brow.^ 

And, when she found a voice, these were the words 
That came from her : " Didst ever, Vahuka, — 
If Vahuka thy name be, as thou say'st, — 
Know one of noble nature, honorable. 
Who in the wild woods left his wife asleep, — 
His innocent, fond wife, — weary and worn ? 
Know'st thou the man ? I '11 say his name to thee ; 
'T was Nala, Raja Nala ! Ah, and when 
In any thoughtless hour had I once wrought 
The smallest wrong, that he should leave me so. 
There in the wood, by slamber overcome ? 
Before the gods I chose him for my lord, 

1 I thus understand the Sanskrit word mulapankint, which Mil- 
man unreasonably reads "mire-defiled." 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 195 

The gods themselves rejecting ; tell me how 

This Prince could so abandon, in her need, 

His true, his loving wife, she who did bear 

Hi« babes, — abandon her to whom he swore — 

My hand clasped, in the sight of all the gods. 

And Agni's self, — * Thy true lord I will be ! ' 

Thou saidst it ! — where is now that promise fled? " 

While thus she spake, (O Victor of thy foes !) 
Fast from her eyes the woe-sprung waters ran. 
And Nala, seeing those night-black,' loving eyes 
Reddened with weeping, seeing her falling tears ; 
Brake forth : " Ah ! that I lost my throne and realm 
In dicing, was not done by fault of mine ; 
'T was Kah wrought it ; Kali, O my wife, 
Drave me to leave thee. Therefore, long ago 
That evil one was stricken by the curse 
Which thou didst utter, wandering in the wood, 

1 The word is Krishnasar, " essence of blackness." 



196 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Desolate, night and day, grieving for me. 
Possessing me he dwelt ; but, cursed by thee. 
Tortured he dwelt, consuming with thy words 
In fierce and fiercer pain, as when is piled 
Brand upon burning brand. But he is gone ; 
Patience and penance have o'ermastered him. 
Princess, the end is reached of our long woes. 
That evil one being fled, freeing my will, 
See, I am here ; and wherefore would I come. 
Fairest, except for thee ? Yet, answer this : 
How should a wife, right-minded to her lord, — 
Her own and lawful lord, — compass to choose 
Another love, as thou, that tremblest, didst ? 
Thy messengers over all regions ran, 
. By the King's name proclaiming : ' Bhima's child 
A second husband chooseth for herself, 
Whomso she will, — as pleaseth, — being free.' 
Those shameless tidings brought the Raja here 
At headlong speed — and me ! " 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 197 

Tenderly smiled 
Damayanti through her tears, with quivering lips, 
And joined palms, answering her aggrieved Prince : 
*ijudgest thou me guilty of such a sin? 
When for thy sake I put the gods aside, 
Thee did I choose, Nishadha, my one lord. 
In quest of thee did all those Brahmans range 
In all ten regions, telling all one tale 
Taught them by me ; and so Parnada came 
To Koshala, where Rituparna dwells, 
And found thee in his house, and spake to thee 
Those words, and had thy gentle answer back. 
Mine the device was. Prince, to bring thee quick ; 
For well I wist no man in all this world 
Could in one day the fleetest coursers urge 
So many yojanas, save thou, dear Prince ! 
I touch thy feet, and tell thee this in truth ; 
And true it is that never any wrong 
Against thee, even in fancy, have I dreamed. 
Witness for me, a» I am loyal and pure. 



19S INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The ever- shifting, all-beholding Air, 

Who wanders o'er the earth ; let him withdraw 

My breath and slay me, if I sinned in aught ! 

Witness for me, yon golden Sun who goes 

With bright eye over us ; let him withhold 

Warm life and kill me, if I sinned in aught ! 

Witness for me the white Moon, whose pale spell 

Lies on all flesh and spirit ; let that orb 

Deny me peace and end me, if I sinned ! 

These be the watchers and the testifiers. 

The three chief gods that rule the three wide worlds ; 

I cry unto them ; let them speak for me ; 

And thou shall hear them answer for my faith, 

Or once again, this day, abandon me." 

Then Vayu showed — the all-enfolding Air — 
And spake : " Not one wrong hath she wrought thee, 

Prince, 
I tell thee sooth. The treasure of her truth 
Faultless and undefiled she hath kept 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 199 

By us regarded, and sustained by us, 

These many days. Her tender plot it was, 

Planned for thy sake, which brought thee ; since who else 

C(Tuld in one day drive threescore yojanas ? 

Nala, thou hast thy noble wife again ; 

Thou, Damayanti, hast thy Nala back. 
Away with doubting ; take her to thy breast. 
Thrice happy Prince ! " 

And while God Vayu spake, 
Look ! there showered flowers down out of the sky ^ 
Upon them ; and the drums of heaven ^ beat 
Beautiful music, and a gentle wind. 
Fragrant, propitious, floated, kissing them. 
But Nala, when he saw these things befall, — 
Wonderful, gracious, — when he heard that voice 

1 Pushpavrishti. This raining down of heavenly flowers on 
auspicious occasions is a frequent incident in ancient Indian 
poetry. 

^ Devadundubhayo. 



200 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Called the great snake to memory : — whereupon 
His proper self returned. Bhima's fair child 
Divinely sounding (Lord of Bharat's line !) — 
Yielded all doubt of his dehghtful Love. 
Then cast he round about his neck the cloth — 
Unstained by earth, enchanted — and (O King !) 
Saw her dear lord his beauteous form resume. 
" Ah, Nala ! Nala ! " cried she, while her arms 
Clasped him and clung ; and Nala to his heart 
Pressed that bright lady, glowing, as of old, 
With princely majesty. Their children twain 
Next he caressed ; while she — at happy peace — 
Her beautiful glad face laid on his breast. 
Sighing with too much joy. And Nala stood 
A great space silent, gazing on her face. 
Sorrow-stamped yet, her long, deep-lidded eyes. 
Her melting smile, — himself 'twixt joy and woe. 

Afterwards, all that story of the Prince, 
And all of Damayanti, Bhima's Queen 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 2(M 

Told to the Maharaja joyously. 
And Bhima said : " To-morrow will I see — 
When Nala hath his needful offerings made — 
OuF daughter and this wandering lord well knit." 

But all that night they sat, hand clasped in hand, 
Rejoicing, and relating what befell 
In the wild wood, and of the woful times. 
And afterwards, in Bhima's royal house 
Serenely dwelled the Princess and the Prince, 
Each making for the other peaceful joy. 
So in the fourth year Nala was rejoined 
To Damayanti, comforted and free. 
Restful, attained, tasting delights again. 
Also the glad Princess, gaining her lord. 
Laid sorrows by, and blossomed forth anew, 
As doth the laughing earth when the rain falls, 
And brings her unseen, waiting wonders forth 
Of blade and flower and fruit. The ache was gone. 
The loneliness and load. Heart-full of ease, 



202 INDIAN IDYLLS. 



Lovelier she grew and brighter, like the moon 
Mounting at midnight in the cloudless blue. 



That night being spent, Prince Nala in his state 
Led forth Vidarbha's Pride before the court. 
And Bhima — in an hour found fortunate — 
Re-wed those married lovers. Dutifully 
Nala paid homage to the Maharaj, 
And reverently did Damayanti bow 
Before her father. He the Prince received 
With grace and gladness, as a son restored, 
Making fair welcome, and with words of praise 
Exalting Damayanti, tried and true ; 
Which in all dignity Prince Nala took, 
Returning, as was meet, words honorable. 
Therewith unto the city spread the noise 
Of that rejoicing. All the townspeople. 
Learning of Nala joyously returned. 
Made all their quarters gay with float of flags. 
Flutter of cloths, and garlands ; sprinkled free 



NALA AND DAMAYANTL 203 

The King's- ways 1 with fresh water, and the cups 
Of fragrant flowers ; and hung long wreaths of flowers 
From door to door the white street-fronts before ; 
A»d decked each temple-porch, and went about 
The altar-gods. 

When Rituparna heard 
How Vahuka is Nala in disguise. 
And of the meeting, right rejoiced at heart 
That Raja grew. And, being softly prayed 
By Nala favorable thought, the King 
Made royal and gentle answer, with like grace 
By Nala met. To whom spake Ritupam : 
"Joy go with thee and her, happily joined. 
But say, Nishadha, wrought I any jot 
Wrongful to thee, whilst sojourning unknown 
Within my walls ? If any word or deed, 
Purposed or purposeless, hath vexed thee, friend, 
For one and all thy pardon grant to me ! " 

1 This is the exact Sanskrit word, Rdjamdrgd. 



204 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And Nala answered : " Never act or word, 
The smallest, Raja, lingers to excuse ! 
If this were otherwise, thy slave was I, 
And might not question, but must pardon thee. 
Yet good to me thou wert, princely and just. 
And kin thou art ; and friendly from this time 
Deign thou to be. Happily was I lodged, 
Well-tended, well-befriended in thy house ; 
In mine own palace never better stead. 
The skill in steeds which pleased thee, that is mine, 
And, Raja, I will give it all to thee, 
If thou be'st minded." 

So Nishadha gave 
All his great gift in horses to the King, 
Who learned each rule approved, and ordinance ; 
And, having all this knowledge, gave in turn 
His deepest lore of numbers and the dice 
To Nala, afterwards departing home 
To his own place, another charioteer 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 205 

Driving his steeds ; and, Ritupama gone, 
Not long did Nala dwell in Bhima's town. 



When one moon he had tarried, taking leave, 
Nishadha to his city started forth 
With chosen train. A shining car he drove ; 
And elephants sixteen, and fifty horse, 
And footmen thirty score came in the rear. 
Swiftly did Nala journey, making earth 
Quake 'neath his flying car ; and wrathfully 
With quick st^ps entered he his palace doors. 
The son of Virasena, Nala, stood 
Once more before that gamester Pushkara ! 
Spake he : " Play yet again ; much wealth is mine, 
And that, and all I have, — yea, my Princess, — 
Set I for stakes : set thou this realm, and throw ! 
My mind is fixed a second chance to try. 
Where, Pushkara, we will play for all or none. 
Who wins his tlirone and treasures from a prince, 



206 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Must stand the hazard of the counter- cast, — 
This is the accepted law. If thou dost blench, 
The next game we will play is ' Kfe or death,' 
In chariot-fight ; when, or of thee or me 
One shall He satisfied : ^ Descended realms. 
By whatsoever means, are to be sought,' 
The sages say, ' by whatsoever, won.' 
Choose, therefore, Pushkara, which way of these 
Shall please thee ; either meet me with the dice. 
Or with thy bow confront me in the field." 

When Pushkara this heafd, lightly he smiled, 
Concluding victory sure ; and to the Prince 
Answered, exulting : " Dishtyaf^ hast thou gained 
Stakes for a counter-game, Nishadha, now? 
Dishiya / shall I have my hard-won prize, 
Sweet Damayanti ? Dishtya ! didst thou come 
In kissing-reach again of thy fair wife ? 
Soon, in thy new gold splendid, she shall shine 

1 An exclamation of joy and surprise. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 20 7 

Before all men beside me, as in heaven 
On Sakra waits the loveliest Apsara.^ 
See, now, I thought on thee, I looked for thee, 
Ever and ever. Prince. There is no joy 
Like casting in the game with such as thee. 
And when to-day I win thy blameless one, — 
The smooth-hmbed Damayanti, — then shall be 
What was to be : and I can rest content. 
For always in my heart her beauty burns." 

Listening the idle talk that babbler poured, 
Angry Prince Nala fain had lopped away 
His head with vengeful khudga : ^ but, unmoved, 
Albeit the wrath blazed in his bloodshot eyes. 
He made reply : " Play ! mock me not with jests ; 
Thou wilt not jest when I have cast with thee ! " 

So was the game set, and the Princes threw 
Nala and Pushkara, and — the numbers named — 

1 The Apsarasas are the celestial nymphs of Indra's heaven, pro- 
duced at the churning of the ocean. 

2 A short, broad-bladed sword. 



208 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

By Nala was the hazard gained : he swept 

His brother's stake, gems, treasure, kingdom, off; 

At one stroke all that mighty venture won. 

Then quoth the conquering Prince to Pushkara, 
Scornfully smiling : " Mine is now once more 
Nishadha's throne ; mine is the realm again. 
Its curse plucked forth ; Vidarbha's glory thou, 
Outcast, shalt ne'er so much as look upon ! 
Fool ! who to-day becom'st her bond and slave. 
Not by thy gifts that evil stroke was wrought 
Wherefrom I fled before ; 't was Kali's spell — 
Albeit thou loiew'st nought, fool — o'ermastered me ; 
Yet will I visit not in wrathful wise 
My wrong on thee ; live as thou wilt ; I grant 
Wherewith to live, and set apart henceforth 
Thy proper goods and substance, and fit food. 
Nay, doubt not I shall show thee favor, too. 
And be in friendship with thee, if thou wilt, 
Who art my brother. Peace abide with thee ! '* 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 209 

Thus all-victorious Nala comforted 
His brother, and embraced him, sending him 
In honor to his town ; and Pushkara — 
Gently untreated — to Nishadha spake, 
With folded palms and humbled face, these words : 
" Unending be thy glory. May thy bliss 
Last and increase for twice five thousand years, 
Who grantest me wherewith to live, just Lord ! 
And where to dwell." Thereafter, well bested, 
Pushkara sojourned with the Prince one moon ; 
So to his town departed — heart-content — 
With slaves and foot-soldiers and followers, 
Gay as a rising sun (O Bharat's glory !). 

Thus sent he Pushkara, rich and safe, away. 

Then, with flags and drums and jewels, robed and royally 

arrayed, 

Nala into fair Nishadha entry high and dazzling made ; 

At the gates the Raja, halting, spake his people words of 

love ; 

14 



2IO INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Gathered were they from the city, gathered from the field 

and grove ; 
From the mountain and the maidan, all a-thrill with joy 

to see 
Nala come to guard his children. " Happy now our days 

will be," 
Said the townsfolk, said the elders, said the villagers, *' O 

King ! " 
Standing all with palms upfolded : " Peace and fortune 

thou wilt bring 
To thy city, to thy country ! Boundless welcome do we 

give. 
As the gods in heaven to Indra, when with them he comes 

to live." 

After, when the show was ended, and the city, calm and 

glad, 
Rest from tumult of rejoicing and rich flood of feasting had. 
Girt with shining squadrons, Nala fetched his pearl of 

women home. 



NALA AND DAMAYANTI. 211 

Like a queen did Damayanti back unto her palace come, 
By the Maharaja Bhima, by that mighty monarch sent 
Royally, with countless blessings, to her kingdom, in con- 

4ent. 
There, beside his peerless Princess, and his children, bore 

he sway, 
Godlike, even as Indra ruHng 'mid the bliss of Nandana.* 
Bore he sway, — my noble Nala, — princeliest of all lords 

who reign 
In the lands of Jambudwipa ; ^ winning power and fame 

again ; 
Ruling well his realm reconquered, like a just and perfect 

king, 
All the appointed gifts bestowing, all the rites remembering. 

1 Nandana is the Paradise of Indra. 

2 Ancient name of India : "The Land of the Rose-apple Tree." 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 

(FROM THE rAATA PARVA OF THE MAHABHARATA.— 
Page 825, line 17305, of the Calcutta Quarto Text.) 

[In the preceding section the five Pandu Princes have been 
wandering in the forest, greatly distressed for want of water. The 
concluding portion of this translation illustrates a passage in the 
" Swargarohana," where the god Dharma praises King Yudhis- 
thira for his equity and self-denial. The riddles propounded by 
the Yaksha, some of which are here omitted, may be considered 
probably the oldest known to literature.] 

np"HEN Yudhisthira spake to Nakula : 

" Thou son of Madri, climb upon a tree, 
And look to all ten quarters, if by chance 
Water be nigh, or plants which love the pool ; 
Thy brothers faint with thirst." 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 213 

So Nakula 
Clomb a tall tree ; and looking, called aloud : 
" Green leaves and water plants I see, which love 
Ths marish and the pool ; also I hear 
The cry of cranes ; yonder will water lie." 

" Go," said the King, " and fetch for us to drink, 
Filling thy quiver." 

Then sped Nakula, 
Obeying Yudhisthira, with swift feet. 
And found a crystal pool brimmed to the bank : 
The great red-crested cranes stalked on its marge. 
And down he flung to drink ; but a voice cried : 
" Beware to drink, rash youth, ere thou hast made 
Answers to such things as I ask of thee ; 
The law of this fair water standeth thus : 
Arise, and hear, and speak ; afterwards drink, 
And fill thy quiver ! " 



214 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

But the eager Prince, 
Being so parched, quaffed deep, not heeding him, 
The Yaksha ^ of the place, and thereupon 
Fell lifeless in the reeds. 

So, when they looked 
To see him coming, and he tarried long, 
Again spake Yudhisthira : " Nakula 
Lingers too much, my brothers. Sahadev, 
Go thou, and bring him back, and bring to drink." 

" I go," quoth Sahadev ; and sought the pool. 
And saw the water, and saw Nakula 
Prone on the earth. Then mightily he grieved, 
Spying the Prince outstretched ; yet, all so fierce 
His drouth was, that he ran and flung him down. 
Making to quaff; when, once again, the voice 

^ "Yakshas" are supernatural beings of Hindu poetry, re- 
sembling our fairies, and called, indeed, punya janas, or " good 
people." They are very powerful, and generally beautiful in form 
and benignant. 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 215 

Sounded : " Beware to drink, ere thou dost give 
Answer to what things I will ask of thee ; 
This is the law of me, who am the Lord 
Of the fair water ; rise, and hear, and speak ; 
Then thou shalt drink and draw." 

Yet so the stress 
Of thirst o'ercame him, that he heeded not. 
But drank, and rose, and — reeled among the reeds 
Lifeless. 

Then, once again, great Kunti's son 
Spake, saying : " O Arjuna, Fear of foes. 
These, our twain brethren, tarry ; go thyself. 
And speed, and bring them back, and bring to drink. 
Our trust thou art, for we are sore distressed." 

Which hearing, Gudakesa 1 seized his bow 
And arrows, and, with drawn sword, sought the pool. 
But coming thither, saw those heroes stretched — 

1 " He of the knotted locks." 



2i6 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

His brethren, best of men, — in deadly swoon, 
Or dead indeed ; and deep distraught he stood, 
Seeing them thus. All round the wood he gazed, 
With lifted bow, and arrow on the string. 
Seeking some foe ; but when none came in sight. 
So wild his thirst was, and the pool so clear. 
He bent his knee to drink, but, bending, heard 
That voice cry : " Dost thou this without my leave ? 
Despite me, Kunti's son, thou canst not drink ; 
And shalt not, till thou makest answer good 
Unto my asking ; then mayst thou be free, 
O born of Bharata, to drink and draw ! " 

Thus sternly stayed, the Prince exclaimed in wrath : 
" Come forth and show thyself, and fight with me ! 
Pierced by my arrows thou shalt yield the pool." 
Then shot he shafts this way and that ; and spoke 
Those spells which make a feathered barb fly straight ; 
And darts he flung, of magic might, which find 
Th' escaping foe, tracking his winding feet ; 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 217 

Karnis, narachas, nalikas ^ he threw, — 

That angry Prince, — covering the sky and wood 

With searching barbs. Thereat the voice anew 

Mocked him, low laughing : " Son of Pritha, vain 

Thine anger is ; answer me fair, and drink ; 

But if thou drinkest ere thou answerest, 

Thou shalt not live." Yet was his throat so parched 

The Prince regarded not, and stooped, and drank, 

And fell down dead. 

Then Yudhisthira spake : 
" Bhima, thou Terror of thy foes, see now 
Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadev, are gone 
To fetch us water, but they come not back. 
Seek them, and bring to drink." 

And Bhima said, 
" So be it." And he went unto the place 
Where those, his mighty-hearted brethren, lay. 

1 These are names for different kinds of darts and arrows. 



2l8 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

But when he saw them — all three — dead and stark, 

Sore mourned that long-armed lord, and gazed around, 

Deeming some Yaksha or some Rakshasa 

Had wrought their doom, and chafing for the fight. 

"But first," quoth he, "'twere good to drink," — so sore 

The drouth oppressed ; and to the pool he sped, 

Thinking to quaff, when yet again that voice 

Echoed : " Dare not to drink ! So stands the law 

Of this fair water; answer first, then drink ! " 

But Bhima, parched and haughty, answered nought. 

Lapping the sweet wave ; and in lapping, fell. 

Then, long time left alone, Kunti's wise son 
Uprose, — great Yudhisthira, — sorrowful, 
Perplexed in thought, and strode into the wood : 
A leafy depth, where never foot was heard 
Of man, but shy deer roamed, and shaggy bears 
Rustled, and jungle-hens clucked in the shade ; 
With tall trees crowded, in whose crown wild bees 
Swarmed buzzing, and strange birds builded their nests. 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 219 

Through this green darkness wending, Yudhisthir 
Passed to the pool, and marked its silver face 
Shine in the light, rimmed round with purple cups 
©f lotus-blossoms, all as if 't were made 
By Viswakarma, architect divine ; 
And all its gleaming shallows and bright bays 
With water-plants were broken, — hlies, reeds ; 
And framed about with ketuk-groves,^ and clumps 
Of sweet rose-laurel and the sacred fig ; 
Insomuch that the King stood wondering there. 
Albeit heart-sorrowful. 

For there he saw, 
Stretched dead together, — as the world's lords die, 
Indra and all, at every yuga's end, — 
His warrior brethren. Prone Arjuna lay, 
Beside his bow and arrow ; Bhima prone, 
With Nakula and Sahadev ; each void 
Of life and motion ; and, beholding these, 

1 The Pandanus odoratissimus. 



2 20 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

His soul sank, and he fetched a grievous sigh. 

Bitterly at that sight lamented he, 

Saying : "Ah, Bhima ! O my brother, named 

From the grim wolf, ^ vain is the vow thou mad'st 

To break the thigh of fell Duryodhana, 

In battle with thy mace. Dead art thou now, 

And those words wind. Brother and faithful friend, — 

Who wast so princely hearted, and upheld'st 

The fortune of the Kurus, — vows of men 

Fail ofttimes, being bhnd, but this of thine 

Was noble ; wherefore hath it borne not fruit ? 

Dhananjaya, conqueror of wealth. 
My joy, my brave Arjuna ! At thy birth 
The glad gods spake to Kunti : ' This thy son 
Shall be like Indra with the thousand eyes.' 
And northwards of the Paripatra hills 

All people cried : * Here is the chief shall bring 
The glory back to us, having such strength 

1 Bhima's other name was Vrikddara^ that is, " Wolf's belly," 
from his prodigious force and appetite. 



i\ 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 221 

That in the battle none will make him fly, 
And none shall stand when he pursueth.' How, 
. Ah, Jishnu ! — how is this betided here, 
Killftig those hopes with thee, with thee, whose love 
Made all our dangers sweet? And Sahadev, 
And Nakula, so valiant in the fight, 
So high and gallant, gifted like the gods, — 
How have ye fallen? Who could conquer you? 
Is my heart stone, that now it breaketh not, 
Seeing these great twins gone, the first of men. 
Heroes, the half of whose renowned work 
Was yet to do ? Ye knew the Shastras, — knew 
The times and places and observances. 
And kept the rites ; how lie ye on the earth, 
Unconquered ones, thus slain, thus overcome. 
And not a wound to show — nay ! but the strings 
Not slipped into the notches of your bows? " 

So broke the sorrow forth from Yudhisthir, 
Beholding all four brethren lying still. 



222 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Stark, like four corpses set asleep by Death ; 

Much grieved he, and the marvel chilled his blood : 

Nor wist he, though so wise, whither to look 

For that which slew them. Yet, close-pondering, 

Unto himself he spake : " No hurts they bear 

Made by a mortal weapon, nor is print 

Of footmark nigh, save theirs ; this is some Bhut, 

Some spirit of the waste ! But let me drink, 

And afterward consider ; it may be 

The vile Duryodhana hath drugged the pool. 

By counsel of Gandhara's King ; the wise 

Trust never him with senses unsubdued. 

To whom things lawful and unlawful count 

One and the same ; yea, but this thing might be 

Wrought by hid hatred of Duryodhana ! " 

Thus mused the King, but murmured presently : 
" Pure and unsullied seems the water ; fresh 
My brothers' faces are ; no poison-stain 
Mars limb or lip ! 'T is Yama's self hath come. 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 223 

The conqueror of all, and slain them here, 
Whom none but he dared strike, being so strong." 

•So saying, to the brink he drew, athirst, 
And stooped to drink, when, close at hand, he heard 
A bird's cry ; and the Yaksha, taking shape. 
Spake : " A gray crane I am, feeding on fish 
And water- weeds ; 't is I have sent yon four 
Into the regions of the dead, and thou 
Shalt go, the fifth, great Raja, following them, 
Except thou makest answers fair and good 
To all which I shall ask. Dare not to drink, 
Thou son of Kunti ! for my law is strong ; 
Answer, and afterwards drink thou, and draw." 

Spake Yudhisthir : " Who art thou ? Art thou chief 
Of Rudras, or of Vasus, or Maruts ? ^ 

1 The Rudras, or " Howlers," eleven in number, and the Maruts, 
are storm-gods; the eight Vasus, personifications of natural 
phenomena, such as water, wind, fire, light, &c. 



224 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Tell me ! No bird wrought thus, unless a bird 
Might overthrow Himavan, and the peaks 
Of Paripatra, or the Vindhya crags, 
Or Malabar's black ghats. Ah ! terrible 
And mighty one, this is a dread deed wrought ; 
This is a marvel, if thou slewedst those 
Whom Gods, and Gandharvas, and Asuras, 
And Demons dared not face in fight. I know 
Nought of thy mind, nor if thou didst this thing 
Desiring aught ; wonder and fear possess 
My burdened heart. I pray thee, show thyself; 
Reveal what god thou art who hauntest here." 

"Yea, King," came answer, " I am not a bird 
Wading the shallows, but a Yaksha dread ; 
And I, as now thou seest me, killed these four." 

Raja (so Vaisampayana went on). 
When Yudhisthira heard those scornful words. 
And saw that form, backward he drew a space, 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 225 

Gazing upon the Shape so fiery-eyed, 

Bulked like a crag, with towering head which topped 

The fan-palms waving near ; shining as shines 

The giory of the sun, not to be borne 

« 
For splendor ; colored like an evening cloud. 

And, like a cloud, still shifting. Then it spake, — 

That monstrous Shade : " These four, though I forbade. 

Drank of the pool, despite me, and were slain. 

Drink not, O King, if thou desirest life ! 

O son of Pritha, drink not ! Kunti's child. 

Answer my questionings ; then drink and live ! " 

" I would not break thy rule," quoth Yudhisthir; 
" The wise have said, * Keep everywhere the law.' 
And, Yaksha, wherein thou wilt question me. 
None can speak better than he understands ; 
So what I know that will I answer. Ask ! " 

Then thus he questioned, and the King replied. 

15 



226 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Yaksha. What teacheth division 'twixt spirit and frame ? 
And which is the practice assisteth the same ? 
What finally fireeth the spirit ? and how 
Doth it find a new being? Resolve me these now. 

King. The Veds division plainly show ; 
By worship rightly man doth go ; 
Dharma the soul will surely firee ; 
In truth its final rest shall be. 

Yaksha. How cometh a man in the Veds to be 
wise? 
What bringeth the knowledge of God to his eyes? 
What learning shall teach him the uttermost lore ? 
And whence will he win it? Reply to these four. 

King. By hearing Scripture man acquires ; 
By doing it his soul aspires ; 
The utmost lore is conquering sense. 
Which cometh of obedience. 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 227 

Yaksha. How wendeth a Brahman to heavenly rest ? 
And what is the work which befitteth him best ? 
And which are the sins that disgrace him ? and why 
Doth" he know himself humble and mortal ? Reply ! 

King. Reading the Vedas leads to rest ; 
Pure meditation fits him best ; 
Slander and cruelty defame ; 
And Death stamps him and all the same. 

Yaksha. Who is it that, gifted with senses to see, 
To hear, taste, smell, handle, and seeming to be 
Sagacious, strong, fortunate, able, and fair. 
Hath never once lived, though he breatheth the air ? 

King. The man who, having, doth not give 
Out of his treasure to these five, — 
Gods, guests, and Pitris, kin, and friend, 
Breathes breath, but hves not to life's end. 



228 INDIAN IDYLLS- 

Yaksha. What thing in the world weigheth more than 
the world? 
What thing goeth higher than white clouds are curled ? 
What thing fleeth quicker than winds o'er the main ? 
And what groweth thicker than grass on the plain? 

King. A mother's heart outweighs the earth ; 
A father's fondness goeth forth 
Beyond the sky ; thought can outpass 
The winds ; and woes grow more than grass. 

Yaksha. Whose eyes are unclosed, though he slum- 
bers all day? 
And what 's born alive without motion ? and, say, 
What moveth, yet lives not? and what, as it goes. 
Wastes not, but still waxes ? Resolve me now those. 

King. With unclosed eyes a fish doth sleep ; 
And new-laid eggs their place will keep ; 
Stones roll ; and streams, that seek the sea. 
The more they flow the wider be. 



J 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 229 

Yaksha. What help is the best help to virtue ? and then, 
What way is the best way to fame among men ? 
What road is the best road to heaven ? and how 
Shall a man live most happy ? Resolve me these now. 

King. Capacity doth virtue gain ; 
Gift-giving will renown obtain ; 
Truth is to heaven the best of ways ; 
And a kind heart wins happy days. 

Yaksha. What soul hath a man's which is his, yet 
another's ? 
What friend do the gods grant, the best of all others ? 
What joy in existence is greatest ? and how 
May poor men be rich and abundant ? say thou ! 

King. Sons are the second souls of man ; 
And wives the heaven-sent friends ; nor can 
Among all joys health be surpassed ; 
Contentment answereth thy last. 



230 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Yaksha. Which virtue of virtues is first? and which 
bears 
Most fruit ? and which causeth the ceasing of tears ? 

King. To bear no malice is the best ; 
And reverence is fruitfullest ; 
Subduing self sets grief at rest. 

• • • • • 

Yaksha. Still tell me what foeman is worst to subdue ? 
And what is the sickness lasts lifetime all through ? 
Of men that are upright say which is the best ? 
And of those that are wicked, who passeth the rest ? 

King. Anger is man's unconquered foe ; 
The ache of greed doth never go ; 
Who loveth most of saints is first ; 
Of bad men cruel men are worst. 

• • • • » 

Yaksha. Good Prince, tell me true, is a Brahmana made 
By birthright? or shall it be rightfully said. 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 231 

If he reads all the Veds, and the Srutis doth know, 
He is this ? or doth conduct of life make him so ? 

King. O Yaksha, hsten to the truth : 
Not if a man do dwell from youth 
Beneath a Brahman's roof, nor when 
The Srutis known to holy men 
Are learned, and read the Vedas through, 
Doth this make any Brahman true. 
Conduct alone that name can give ; 
A Brahmana must steadfast live, 
Devoid of sin, and free from wrong ; 
For he who walks low paths along, 
Still keeping to the way, shall come 
Sooner and safer to his home 
Than the proud wanderer on the hill ; 
And reading, learning, praying, still 
Are out^vard deeds which ofttimes leave 
Barren of fruit minds that beheve. 
Who practises what good he knows. 



232 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Himself a Brahmana he shows ; 

And if an evil nature knew 

The sacred Vedas through and through, 

With all the Srutis, still must he, 

Lower than honest Sudra ^ be. 

To know and do the right, and pay 

The sacrifice, in peace alway : 

This maketh one a Brahmana. 

Yaksha. Right skilfully hast thou my questionings met 
Most pious of princes, and learned ! but yet 
Resolve me, who liveth though death him befall? 
And what man is richest and greatest of all ? 

\ King. Dead though he be, that mortal lives 
Whose virtuous memory survives ; 
And richest, greatest, that one is 
Whose soul — indifferent to bliss 

^ The name of the lowest caste. 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 233 

Or misery, to joy or pain, 
To past or future, loss or gain — 
Sees with calm eyes all fates befall, 
And, needing nought, possesseth all. ' 

Then spake the Yaksha : " Wondrously, O King, 
Hast thou replied, and wisely hast fulfilled 
The law of this fair water : therefore, drink, 
And choose which one of these thy brethren dead 
Shall live again." 

So Yudhisthira said : 
" Let Nakula, O Yaksha, have his life, — 
My dark-browed brother with the fiery eyes. 
Straight like a sala-tree, broad-chested, tall, 
That long- armed lord." 

" But see where Bhima lies 
Dead," spake the spirit, " dearest unto thee ; 
And where Arjuna sleeps, thy guard and guide. 



234 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Why dost thou crave the life of Nakula — 
Not thine own mother's son — in Bhima's stead, 
Who had the might of countless elephants, 
Whom all the people called thy * Well-Beloved ' ? 
Orwouldst thou see Nakula alive again 
In place of great Arjuna, thine own blood, 
Whose valor was the tower of Pandavas? " 

But Yudhisthira answered : " Faith and Right, 
Being preserved, save all, and, being lost, 
Leave nought to save : these therefore I will set 
First in my heart. Faithful and right it is 
To choose by justice, putting self aside. 
Let Nakula hve, O Yaksha, for men call 
King Yudhisthira " just " ; nor will he lose, 
Even for love, that name ; make Nakula live ! 
Kunti and Madri were my father's wives ; 
Shall one be childless, and the other see 
Her sons returning? Madri is to me 
As Kunti, as my mother, at this hour ; 



THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 235 

As she who bore me she that bore the twins ; 
And justice shall she have, since I am judge. 
Let Nakula live, thou Yaksha ! " 

Then the voice 
Sighed sweet, evanishing : " Ah, noblest Prince, 
Ah, Best of Bharat's line ! as thou art just, 
Lo ! all thy brethren here shall live again." 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION.^ 

(FROM THE VANA PARVA OF THE MAHABHARATA. — 
Page 565, Line 10007. Calcutta Quarto Edition.) 

T)ORN of the White Doe, in the woods he dwelt, 

That sinless saint, pious and mild and pure. 
Sad-minded, soUtary ; for his eyes 
Had never lighted on a human face, 
Except his sire, Vibhandika's ; and thus 
Always young Rishyasringa's heart was set 
On sanctities (O King !). 



1 A curious interest attaches to this legend, now for the first 
time extracted from the Mahabharata. It is familiar in Ceylon as 
the Ndlini Jdtaka, Buddha being made the sage Vibhandika, and 
the Princess Nalini — daughter of the Raja of Benares — the 
temptress of the youthful saint. 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 237 

At which far time 
Lomapad, friend of Dasarath, was Lord 
In Anga. He, 't is told, spake falsely once 
Unto arBrahmana; and thereupon 
The Brahmans fled from that dishonored court. 
So, when no priest was left, no purohit. 
He of the thousand eyes, Indra, withheld 
His rains, whereby sore suffered all the folk : 
And (O my King !) Lomapad sent in grief, 
Praying his wisest if they knew the cause 
Of Indra's wrath, and what should make him rain. 

Thus questioned, these took counsel ; and one spake, — 
A chief of sages, — " O superior Lord, 
The Brahmanas are angered for thy word 
Forsworn : thou therefore make them fit amends ; 
And hither bring Rishyasring, who dwells 
Alone, amid the groves, holy and mild ; 
Whose eyes have never seen a woman's face ; 
Whose heart is pure. If the fair boy shall come, 



238 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The clouds of Indra will let fall their drops 
That very day ; of this thing doubt ye not ! " 

Hearing their words, the Raja purged his guilt 
With princely gifts, soothing the Brahmanas ; 
And when their hearts were good, he came again 
Unto his kingdom, making all folks glad. 
And, next, the Lord of Anga called his best 
Among the ministers to compass means 
How Rishyasringa might be brought ; and those, 
Deep read in Shastra, Artha, Niti, all, — 
Counselled the wiles of woman ; whereupon 
A band of comely, winsome girls were bid 
Unto the palace, skilled in arts to please. 
And the King said : " Beautiful damsels, bring 
Rishyasringa hither, that saint's son ; 
Entice, allure, persuade, — ye know men's hearts." 
But they, fearing the King, yet fearing more 
The saint's curse, if they vexed him, one by one 
Answered : " Yea, Raja, hearts of men we know ; 
But in this thing how shall we serve thy will? " 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 239 

Then one arose, white-haired and wrinkled deep, 
An ancient dame, who spake unto the King : 
" See, Maharaja ! I will fetch this boy, 
Albeiran ocean of austerities. 
Do thou command that there be granted me 
Means for my need, that so I may prevail. 
And bring the Rishi's son, this pearl of saints." 

"What needest thou?" quoth he. And when he knew, 
Much store of silver and of gold and gems 
He gave the dame ; who from the ring of girls. 
Laughing, drew forth the fairest, \vilfullest ; 
And muttering, " He will come ! " passed to the woods. 

And there she built — (so Lomarsha went on) 
Not by the King's word, but her own device, 
A floating bower to swim upon the stream. 
Full sweet she fashioned it, from woven boughs 
Of verdure, interlaced \vith palms and vines. 
And clasped by climbing stems, and hung with fruit 



240 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Golden and rosy, and with bright blooms decked ; 
Afterwards, on the river launched her boat, — 
The damsel seated 'neath its leafy screen, — 
So that it came, with paddle, stream, and breeze, 
Through the trees stealing, down the silvery road 
Softly and silent to the Rishi's haunt ; 
When Hghtly tripped the lovely girl ashore, 
And, looking in his eyes, demurely spake : — 

" O Muni ! 1 is it peace with you ? are all the Rishis well ? 
And have you roots and fruits enough? and take you joy 

to dwell 
All lonely in this hermitage, which I am come to see ? 
And add you, day by day, dear saint, unto your sanctity ? 
And, Brahman, doth your sire rejoice to watch you fast 

and pray? 
And do you read, O Rishyasring ! the Vedas every day ? " 

Answered that blushing boy delightedly ; — 
1 This word signifies " saint," as also Rishi. 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 241 

" O unknown one, who shinest like the splendor of a star, 
Peace and good will ! for due to thee my salutations are ; 
Accept, I pray thee, at my hands, the Padya ^ and this 

- thrift 
Of roots and fruits, as duty bids, a hermit's humble gift j 
And be thou pleased upon this mat of kusa grass to sit, 
Or, better, let the black deer's skin be smootlily spread 

on it. 
Fair is the day which bringeth thee j O sweet saint, where 

may be 
Thy hermitage, and what vow fills the holy hours of thee ? " 

Right archly answered him the laughing girl : — 

" O son of pious Kasyapa, my charming bower lies 
Under a mountain far removed from these austerities. 
Three yojanas away, — away, — nor is it meet for me 

1 It was the graceful and wholesome custom of Indian hospi- 
tality to offer water for washing the feet [padya) to a stranger or 
guest arriving from a journey. 

16 



242 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Thus to be reverenced, nor to touch this water, nor to see 
A Rishi kneeling at my feet j far otherwise my state ! 
Love is the vow which fills my life, and makes my heart 
elate." 

Perplexed, yet radiant, the boy replied : — 

" What should I do to pleasure thee ? I '11 bring thee fruits 

we find 
Within our groves, bhallatakas, ingudas with gold rind ; 
Karushakas, amalakas, dhanwanas honey-sweet, 
Or pippalas ; see, these are here ; wilt thou not take and 

eat?" 

But smilingly she put them by, and reached 
Rare cakes to him, spiced as no hermit knows, 
Pleasant of taste, which the boy ate with joy. 
And on his neck and wrists lightly she strung 
Garlands of subtle-scented flowers ; and crowned 
Her own bright brows ; and drew a light robe on. 



I 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 243 

Laughing ; and so, with murmuring song, unbound 
Her body-cloth, and, waving, weaving it, 
Paced the soft Kanduka,i with beating feet 
And bosoms lithely swayed, as flower-cups sway 
When the wind shakes their clusters ; — at the last 
Danced to his side, and for a moment set 
Palm to his palm and limb to limb, and lip 
To trembling lip, and breast to beating breast : 
Then turned aside, and drew the branches down 
Of sarja, tilah, and asoka trees, 
Plucking their buds, shameless and well-content 
Because she saw love lighted in his heart. 
For, knowmg well her triumph, and the saint 
Obtained, once more she clasped her soft brown arms 
About him, and with eyes fixed on his eyes 
Withdrew ; having enkindled passion's flame 
Where only fires of sacrifice had burned. 



1 A kind of dance in which the performer plays with a ball as 
she dances. 



244 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

When she was gone, young Rishyasringa stood 
As one some dream of heaven hath left distraught, 
Spiritless ; then within his lonely cell 
Sat, with face fixed through many silent hours, 
Her beauties meditating. 

Presently 
Vibhandaka, of Kasyapa the son. 
Returned. Much insight of the Veds had bleared 
His ancient orbs ; a thick pile covered him, 
Body and legs and arms, to the finger-ends ; 
A holy man ; purified, dedicate 
To contemplation. He, arriving, saw 
The lad in deep thought plunged, sitting apart 
Dejected, fetching sigh on sigh, with glance 
Upturned. Whereat inquired Vibhandaka : 
^' My child, why hast thou gathered not the wood ? 
Didst thou perform the sacrifice to-day? 
And didst thou lead the calf to suck the cow ? ^ 

1 This was the sacred cow, kept at the hermitage for religious uses. 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 245 

Why art thou sad ? I pray thee tell me true, — 
Hath one been with thee here to-day?" 

The boy 
Gave answer : " Yea, a Brahmacharya came. 
His 1 locks were braided, and his comely form 
Seemed nor too tall nor short ; fair-voiced he was, 
Colored as is new gold, with broad bright eyes 
Which were like lotus-blossoms. As gods shine. 
So — of his own divine grace — glittered he ; 
A glory had he like the sacred sun ; 
And, ah ! his dark, deep glance ; and oh, his hair 
Tied up with blue ; sweet-smelling, lustrous, long ! 
A necklace curled and clung about his neck, 
Sparkling like lightning on a dusky sky ; 
And underneath his throat swelled forth to sight 
Two globes, flower-soft and smooth, fair-fashioned, large. 
His waist so tapered back and front came close ; ^ 

1 Rishyasringa takes his visitant for a man, knowing no better. 

2 This is a literal transcript from the Sanskrit, which means that 
the waist was so small (a great charm with Indian poets) as to be 
almost imperceptible. 



246 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Below, his hips outrounded wondrously ; 

A jewelled girdle hung above his thighs, 

And some strange tinkling ornaments adorned 

His feet. Also, upon his arms were gems 

Which chattered like the breast-beads of my string, 

(Ah, but so musically !) when he moved, — 

'T was as the songs of wild swans on our lake. 

The cloths he wore showed goodly, — not like mine. 

And when he spoke, those honeyed words which fell 

Gladdened my heart and passed into my soul, 

Deep — deep, till dearer seemed it than the notes 

Of Koils piping ! Also, as the woods — 

When in the Madhva month the breezes blow — 

Shake fragrance forth, so there did waft from him 

Sweet breaths on every air. Over his brows 

The locks sat smooth, drawn forward from his braids ; 

And in his ears swung little painted stones 

Brighter than chakravaka birds. Sometimes 

With skilful hand he tossed a ball aloft, 

Which fell to earth, and, bounding to his palm. 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 247 

Was beaten back again, and yet again, 
Wondrous to see ; while this and that way waved 
His body like a tree which the wind bends. 
Ah, while I saw him so, like a young god, 
My heart grew full. I worshipped that fair saint. 
Full oft, too, he embraced me, holding me 
Close, by the hair, and, drawing down my cheek. 
And covering up my mouth with his soft mouth. 
Upon my lips made tender sounds ; and this 
Gave me strange joy ! He would not willingly 
Accept ' foot- water,' nor the fruits I brought. 
He had a vow was otherwise, he said ; 
But showed me unknown fruits, more delicate 
Than aught we ever taste of here ; no rind 
They had, nor flesh like ours. Also he gave 
Sweet juices to me, which I drank, and felt 
A quickening glow, lifting my eyebrows up. 
Those ^vreaths of scented blossoms, strung with silk. 
Are from his hand ; he left them here, dear saint ! 
(Who by his fasts, no doubt, so splendid shows,) 



248 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

When he withdrew to seek his hermitage. 
Now he is gone, I am become as nought ; 
My senses fail, my body burns. I ask 
Only to go to him, or else that he 
, Should always come to us. Father, demand 
His presence ; learn his Brahmacharya's name. 
I wish to exercise with that wise man 
The penance they perform ; I long to do it ; 
My heart will break, if I see him no more ! " 

Vibhandaka spake sternly : " Son, there walk 
Wonderful Rakshasis in this our wood, 
Dreadful for strength and cunning comeliness ; 
Ofttimes to interrupt our rites they seek ; 
Ofttimes, with winsome wiles, and beauteous shapes. 
Tempt saints to abandon Swarga's heavenly rest. 
He who will rule his mind and reach toward bliss, 
With such makes no society, nor looks 
The way of those, th' abominable, who snare 
The pious. Yea, my son, the foods she gave 



THE SAINT'S TEMPTATION. 249 

Are evil and forbidden, and conduce 
To sin. Yon wreaths, moreover, must not lie 
Within a hermitage, where Munis live ; 
For soul-corrupting is their subtle scent. 
Nay, 'twas a Rakshasi ! " 

So did the sage 
Counsel that youthful saint, admonishing him, 
And afterwards set forth to seek the witch ; 
But nowhere finding her, came home again. 

Yet it befell, upon another day 
Vibhandaka went forth to pluck those fruits 
Which are most meet to make the sacrifice 
Of Sravan ; and she came again, the girl, 
Silently shining through the trees ; and he 
Saw her, and seeing, utterly forgot 
Rishis and Rakshasis, so joyed he was, 
So with strong love transported ; for she sighed, 
" Rishyasring ! " And with one word he took 



250 



INDIAN IDYLLS. 



Her palm, and led her to the lonely hut. 
Whose porch they entered. 

Afterwards (O King !) 
Laughingly did she win him to the bank 
With honeyed arts, and lightly him entranced. 
Floating and fondling down the silvery stream. 
Until they came to Anga. There she drew 
The green boat in, and moored it 'neath the shade ; 
Love's ark, — plain to be seen, and by all folk 
Named Navya'srama^ " The Floating Shrine." 



So Lomapad brought in the Rishi's son : 
And lo ! great Indra's wrath was gone ; the rain 
Burst o'er the land, and drenched the thirsty fields ; 
But Rishyasringa to his forest-cell 
Came back no more 1 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 

(FROM THE DRONA PARVA OF THE MAHABHARATA. — 
Line 2022. Calcutta Quarto Edition.) 

\The brave and virtuous son of Arjuna, the young AbhimanyUy 
has been slain in battle, after splendid exploits, and Prince Yudhisthira 
is bitterly bewailing his loss. " What is Death? Whence is this 
Death ? " he exclaims. The sage Vydsa thus replies to him ;] 

I. 

I WILL relate 
An ancient story for thy comfort, Prince, 
By Narad told to King Akampana : 
For that great lord had lost his only son, 
Which is of earthly woes hardest to bear. 
Thou, too, shalt learn how Death began, and this 
Shall free thee from the ache of love bereaved. 
Hear the old story ; it is sweet to hear, — 



INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Excellent, holy, purging sins away, 

Prolonging life because it stayeth grief. 

Good for the heart and soul, strengthening the will ; 

Best of auspicious scriptures. Nay, I say, 

To tell or hear this rede is all as if 

The blessed Veds were chanted ; it should be 

Said with the morning prayer for kings to con. 

If they will keep their children, realms, and wealth 

With minds at ease. 



My son, in ages past. 
In the far Krita Yuga, lived this King 
Akampana. His foes beset him sore, 
And slew in fight Hari, his son, a prince, 
God Narayen's match for might, youthful and fair. 
Skilful in arms, wise, pleasant, in the war 
^Fearless as Sakra. But they hemmed him round. 
Striking such blows amidst his enemies. 
That when he fell there lay about his corpse 
A bloody belt of chiefs and elephants. 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 253 

Long mourned the King, his sire, by night and day 
Weeping, knowing no joys, uncomforted ; 
Whom that most holy saint, great Narada, 
Hearing his grief, in pity visited. 
But when the King saw Narad entering. 
Uprose he from the dust, and clasped those feet, 
And poured his sorrows into those wise ears ; 
Recounting all the battle, how 't was lost. 
And how the Prince fell ! " Ah, my brave, fair son ! " — 
So brake he forth, — " Oh, my most gallant boy ! 
That wast upon our side like Indra's self 
For help ; like Vishnu, in thy shining mail, — 
Slain art thou 'midst thy foes. Ah, Bhagavan ! 
Ah, Rishi ! he is gone ; my pride is dead ! 
What is this Death? Whence cometh it? What curse 
Hath given it means and might and power to kill. 
Blasting the bloom of hfe ? Thou, who art wise, ^ 
Tell me the truth of this ; I crave to know." 

Then Narad, hearing his most piteous cry, 
That teacher of the truth, spake tenderly ; 



254 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The ancient tale I tell, which whoso hears 

He shall not weep though his one son be dead. 

Narada said : " Listen, thou long-armed King, 
And grieve no more when thou hast heard. At first, 
Far back, in the beginning, He who rules. 
Almighty shining Brahma, made what lives 
To live unchanged ; so was there length of days 
Illimitabk, but not growth in days. 

Which comes of change ; and Brahma, seeing His worlds 
Fixed in fair changelessness, waxed ill content, 
Bethinking to unmake what He had made. 
That good should pass to better ; and there went, 
O Monarch ! from the discontent of Him — 
Bethinking how He should destroy to save — 
A flame, the spirit of His brooding thought, 
Which, filling all the regions, had consumed 
The heavens and earth and worlds from west to east — 
From north to south, the heavens and earth and worlds, 
With all their creatures, — those which live and move. 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 255 

And those which live unmoving, plants and trees. 
So was that thought of Brahma terrible. 

" But* thereupon, he of the matted locks, 
Hara, -r-whom men do also Sthanu call. 
King of night- wandering ghosts, Shiva the god, — 
Unto dread Brahma's presence straight repaired. 
Awful in sunlike majesty sat He ; 
And, seeing Hara at His feet, come there 
For love of living beings : ' Son ! ' He said, 
'What need hath brought thee? Let the wish be 

known; 
That which thou dost desire, it shall be wrought ; 
For thou art Sthanu, and thy will is mine.' 

" Spake Hara : ' O Thou Light of all the worlds ! 
Thine are the worlds, and Thou hast peopled them ; 
And all things in their orders are by Thee, 
And in Thee live. , Wilt Thou not save Thine own ? 
But now they fear to perish everywhere. 



256 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Slain by this fire which flameth from Thy mood ; 
And I, who see it, and who love them, come. 
Moved with compassion. Have Thou mercy. Lord ! ' 

" Brahma replied : ' I did not think to slay. 
Lo ! I am favorable. Life shall live ; 
For love, not hate, this mood did move in Me ; 
Because the angel of the earth hath come, 
Constantly praying, " Father, lighten me ; 
Make and unmake this burden sore to bear, 
My children, lest we multiply to harm." 
Yet, having made them, how should I unmake, 
Seeing I gave gifts indestructible. 
Giving their lives ? I cannot slay, yet these 
Must change ; therefore that mood did move in Me.' 

" Spake Hara : ' O Protector of the worlds ! 
Be favorable still, be wroth no more ; 
Let not these lives, moving and motionless, 
Perish, O Bhagavan ! Let there be henceforth 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 257 

Three states of time for children of the earth, — 
The past, the present, and the future ; these 
Let them possess, Thou Lord of all ! Thy mind 
Burnetii in moving, and therewith a flame 
Proceeded, scorching mountains, rivers, lakes, 
Forests, and beasts that dwell there, and the beings. 
Moving and motionless, of all the earth. 
Ah, Bhagavan, be Thou then propitious ; yield 
Thine ill-content which slayeth. This I crave. 
Also the flame, which hath proceeded forth 
By reason of it, draw it back, dread Lord, 
Into Thyself; from Thee it sprang. Thou art 
Master, to bless or ban. Make Thine acts bless 
These that are Thine, to sweep away or save 
These that must perish if Thou pity not. 
O Maker who unmakest ! I am here — 
The messenger of all the guardian gods 
Which keep Thy worlds — beseeching Thee, Supreme, 
Destroy not that which Thou hast A\TOUght so fair ; 
For this, at Thy great feet I bend and plead.' 

17 



258 INDIAN IDYLLS. | 

" Hearing Mahadev's prayer," quoth Narada, 
" The awful Brahma gave consent, and drew 
Back to Himself that earth-devouring flame. 
Then He who maketh and unmaketh worlds 
Spake of the making and unmaking, — how 
The purpose groweth so. And when the lire 
Was wholly quenched, and all His spirit still, 
Lo ! Brahma meditated ; and there rose, 
Live from His thought, a presence feminine, — 
Delicate, tender, splendid, with great eyes. 
Dark tlie sweet face was, dark the stately limbs ; 
But beauty blossomed red on lip and breasts, 
And in her ears swung ear-rings of soft gold. 
She, being so born, drew backward from the throne, 
Awe-struck to gaze upon those gods. But He 
Who maketh and unmaketh, spake to her. 
Saying : ' Thou Death, thou Mrityu, go, destroy 
Those that must die. I have created thee 
Unto this work ; bring to appointed end 
The moving and unmoving ; kill and slay 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 259 

All creatures at their time. This is My will : 
Obey and fear not/ 

" Thus commanded, Death — 
Fair Mrityu, with those eyes like lotuses — 
Spake not, but bowed her head and sobbed ; her tears 
Fast welling ; so that on dread Brahma's hand 
Fell the bright tears, — for Brahma drew her close, 
Saying : ' I bid thee for the good of all.' " 



II. 

But Narada went on. " Then she assuaged 
Her sorrow, and replied : * Father and Lord ! ' — 
Clasping her palms across her beauteous breast. 
And trembling like a tendril in the wind, — 
' Father and Lord ! ' sighed Mrityu, * wherefore, then, 
Mad'st Thou me woman ? How shall I fulfil 
This dreadful duty, this injurious task ? 
I shall be guilty, I shall be defiled. 



26o INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Be gracious ; let this work light not on me ! 
Why must they die ? The friend, the citizen, 
The son, the mother, father, brother, bride, 
And bridegroom, — all so happy, all so fair, — 
Why should these be destroyed? I am afraid 
To kill them ; I shall sadden at their tears. 
Grieve with their groans. Master of all ! dear God ! 
Bid me not dwell with Yama, slaying men. 
I pray Thee rather give me leave to hve 
In holy silences and pains and prayers. 

This boon I crave, great Father ! grant the boon ; 

And I, Thy child, will go to Dhenuka, 

Where I will dwell in sacred solitudes. 

Religious, worshipping Thee. But, God of gods, 

I shall not have the heart to take away 

The dear lives of the dying creatures. Save, 

Save me from such a sin ! ' 

" Brahma replied : 
' Mrityu, thou art created unto this. 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 261 

To make an end of all that lives. Go, child ; 
Make them to end, each at his time ; spare none : 
Such is My will, and never otherwise ; 
Thott shalt be blameless doing Brahma's will.' 

" But she," thus Narada went on, " stood there, 
To slay reluctant, clasping pitying palms - 
Across her breast, and lifting eyes of ruth 
To Brahma's eyes. Thereat there spread in heaven 
Silence a space, whilst Death, for love of men. 
Gazed on the face of God, and that dread face 
Waxed well contented ; and great Brahma smiled, 
Looking upon His creatures, who therewith 
Fared well throughout the three wide worlds, because 
The countenance of Him was glad again. 

" So passed she from the Almighty Presence, mute, 
This tender angel, sent to slay mankind. 
Refusing still to slay ; and forthwith went 
To Dhenuka, where, countless ages through. 
In meditation and rapt vows she stood 



262 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Fixed like a rock : i — all for the love of men, 
For sixteen padmas ^ stood she, seeking grace, 
Withholding heart and soul from peace and joy; 
And afterward, for padmas twenty-five. 
Praying for men ; and then tlirough many more 
She sojourned with the creatures of the field. 
Praying for them. Next, upon Nanda's banks, — 

Nanda which flows cool, holy, crystal-pure, 

Seven thousand years and one kept she firm fast ; 

And afterward went east to Kausiki, 

Where dews and airs of heaven were all her food ; 

Until, accomplishing the pilgrimage. 

By Panchaganga, and at Ganga's wave, 

Under the feet of sacred Himalay, 

And so to topmost Himalay, where gods 

Have offered sacrifice, she, too, a god, — 

Lay prostrate, praying, still as is a stone. 

And yet again at Naimish, Pushkara, 

^ The Sanskrit phrase signifies "standing on one leg." 
^ Apadma is a thousand billion years. 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 263 

Gokama, and Malaya — wheresoe'er 

The holiest places are — there sojourned she, 

Fasting and meditating, making vows 

For men to Brahma, suing Him* for them. 

" Whereby the Eternal Father of the worlds, 
Being well pleased," quoth Narad, " called to her 
With kindly mind, saying : * My Mrityu ! 
Why dost thou exercise such heavy vows?' 

" And gentle Death answered the Lord of life : 
* That I may never have, O Lord ! to kill 
Thy creatures, and that they may dwell in peace ; 
This thing I ever wish, this boon I crave. 
Master and Father ! I did fear the guilt 
Of slaying, and I feared to disobey ; 
Therefore I make these penances, Supreme ! 
Comfort me, who am Thine, and terrified ; 
Forgive me, for I would be innocent ; 
Have pity, Lord of lords ! on me and these.' 



264 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" Then He that knows what was, is, and will be, 
Made mild reply : ' Blood-guilty art thou not, 
O Mrityu ! if thou slayest these which live. 
What I have utter&d, I have uttered. Vain 
Can never be My words. These are to die. 
Go, gentle spirit ! therefore, slay Me these ; 
Slay all four orders of the things which live ! 
Thee shall the Eternal Virtue purify ; 
Thee shall the mighty ones who guard My worlds 
Succor and aid. Yama shall help thee ; plagues, 
Pestilence, death, shall be thy ministers ; 
And I, the Almighty God, before all gods. 
Give thee this sign, that, being free from sin, 
Thou shalt be called " Passionless " Nirajis, — 
She that doth slay for love, and, slaying, saves.' 

" So once again, commanded past reply, 
Mrityu her meek palms folded o'er her breast. 
And bowed her brow, and answered : '■ If, dread Lord ! 
This must be done, and I must be the means. 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 265 

Upon my head be put Thy dread behest ! 

Yet let it be Thy will I strike them not : 

Let their sins slay them, and die so with them. 

Avarice, ambitions, envies, calumnies. 

Wars, wraths, hates, conquests, follies, passions, plots 

Of mutual mischiefs, — let those work Thy word. 

And bring to end the beings suffering them/ 

" ' Thus it shall be,' spake Brahma. ' Go, fair child ! 
Fulfil My puipose, make death enter so ; 
Thou shalt be blameless now and evermore. 
See ! the bright tears that fell upon My hand 
From forth thine eyes I turn to woes of flesh, 
Which shall consume them, — aches, diseases, griefs. 
Born of thy sorrow these will smite j but, bom 
Of thy compassion, these shall heal with peace 
When the day cometh that each one must die. 
Fear not ! thou shalt be innocent ; thou art 
The solace, as the terror, of all flesh. 
Righteous and rightful, doing Brahma's will. 



266 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Therefore fare forth and slay, making these end 
With pangs of passion, stings of wild desires, 
Vain sins which kill. This shall thy virtue be ; 
And thou shalt purify thee by thyself, 
Making the good wax and the evil wane 
By nature of the evil's self, — by wrongs, 
By wrath, by lust, self-love, and sinfulness.' 

"So, ever since that time," quoth Narada, 
" Mrityu, no longer thinking to resist. 
Works the great will of God, and slays what lives, 
Taking the breath of creatures at life's close ; 
Not with her own kind hand ; she doth not kill ! 
By ills and pests and hurts which evil breeds — 
,As many as those tender tears that rolled 
From forth her eyes — they perish ; so men call 
Their plagues Vyadhi, that which ^ hunts ' i to death. 

1 There is a play here upon the two Sanskrit words, vy&dhi, 
sickness," and vyddha, " a hunter." 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 267 

"Wherefore, my King ! " said Narad, " it is vain 
To mourn the dead. The elements divine. 
Which enter in at birth, come forth at death. 
All changes ; and the gods are mortal, too. 
But thou lament no more thy princely son ; 
He hath attained that excellent abode, 
Airy, invisible, which knows not time. 
Nor chance, nor any change. Weep not for him ! 
He sits with kings and heroes who are passed 
Into the everlasting, happy home. 
Where no wars are, nor wounds, and good men dwell. 

" King ! this is death ! this is that Mrityu ! 
Thus, when the hour is come, the creatures end. 
Obeying the vast purposes of Him 
Who maketh and unmaketh. Mrityu takes 
Their breath. She slays not ; of themselves they die ; 
The gentle spirit with the staff in hand ^ 

1 The Sanskrit epithet is Dandapani. 



268 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Strikes none, but pities all. Therefore the wise, 
Knowing that such is Brahma's will and good, 
Never lament their dead ; grieve thou no more." 



And when the holy Narada made end 
(Vyasa said) , this King Akampana 
Shed no more tears, but spake unto the saint : 
" Lo ! now my woe is gone, my heart is healed ! 

wisest of all Rishis, I have peace ; 

1 thank thee for the blessing of such lore ; 
I clasp thy feet." Therewith Narada went 
To Nandana, leaving him comforted. 

Son of the Pandavas, be patient, too ! 
Thy Prince, thy gallant Abhimanyu, 
Fell like a lord of men, and hath his meed 
In Swarga with the blessed. Rise thou up. 
Quit grief, and take thy weapons, and renew 
The battle with thy brothers on the plain. 



THE BIRTH OF DEATH. 269 

Whoso reads and whoso hears 
This fair story of old years. 
Well and wisely gives his paifis ; 
Sinee thereby his spirit gains 
Piety a7id peace aiid bliss ; 
Nay, and heavenward leadeth this ; 
Andy on earth, its wisdom brings 
Wealth and health and happy things. 



THE NIGHT OF SLAUGHTER. 

(FROM THE OPENING OF THE SAUPTIKA PARVA OF THE 
MAHABHARATA. — Vol. hi, of the Calcutta Quarto Edition.) 

To Narayen^ Best of lords ^ be glory given, 
To great Saraswati, the Queen ifi heaven ; 
Unto Vydsa, too, be paid his meed. 
So shall this story worthily proceed. 

" Those vanquished warriors then," Sanjaya said, 
" Fled southwards j and, near sunset, past the tents 
Unyoked ; abiding close, in fear and rage. 
There was a wood beyond the camp, untrod. 
Quiet ; and in its leafy harbor lay 
The Princes, some among them bleeding still 



THE NIGHT OF SLAUGHTER. 271 

From spear and arrow gashes ; all sore spent, 

Fetching faint breath, and fighting o'er again 

In thought that battle. But there came a noise 

Of Pandavas pursuing, — fierce and loud 

Outcries of victory ; whereat these chiefs 

Sullenly rose, and yoked their steeds again, 

Driving due east ; and eastward still they drave 

Under the dusk, till drouth and desperate toil 

Stayed horse and man ; then took they lair again 

The panting horses, and the Princes, wroth 

With chilled wounds, and the death-stroke of their King. 



" Now were they come, my Prince ! " Sanjaya said, 
" Unto a jungle thick with stems, whereon 
The tangled creepers coiled ; here entered they. 
Watering the horses at a stream, and pushed 
Deep in the thicket. Many a beast and bird 
Sprang startled at their feet ; the long grass stirred 
With serpents creeping off; the woodland flowers 



272 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Shook, where the pea-fowls hid ; and, where frogs plunged, 
The swamp rocked all its reeds and lotus-buds. 
A banian-tree, with countless dropping boughs 
Earth-rooted, spied they, and beneath its aisles 
A pool ; hereby they stayed, tethering their steeds. 
And, dipping water, made the evening prayer. 

" But when the ' Daymaker ' sank in the west, 
And Night descended, — gentle, soothing Night, 
Who comforts all, with silver splendor decked 
Of stars and constellations, and soft folds 
Of tender darkness drawn, — then the wild things 
Which roam in darkness woke, wandering afoot 
Under the gloom. Horrid the forest grew 
With roar and yelp and yell, around that place 
Where Kripa, Kritavarman, and the son 
Of Drona lay beneath the banian-tree. 
Full many a piteous passage instancing 
In their lost battle-day of dreadful blood j 
Tili sleep fell heavy on the wearied lids 



THE NIGHT OF SLAUGHTER. 273 

Of Bhoja's child and Kripa. Then these lords, 
To princely life and silken couches used, 
Sought on the bare earth slumber, spent and sad. 
As homeless outcasts lodge. 

" But, O my King ! 
There came no sleep to Drona's angry son. 
Great Aswatthaman. As a snake lies coiled 
And hisses breathing, so his panting breath 
Hissed rage and hatred round him, where he lay, 
Chin uppermost, a,rm-pillowed, with fierce eyes 
Roving the wood, and seeing sightlessly. 
Thus chanced it that his wandering glances turned 
Into the fig-tree's shadows, where there perched 
A thousand crows, thick roosting, on its limbs, — 
Some nested, some on branchlets, — deep asleep. 
Heads under wings, all fearless ; nor, O Prince ! 
Had Aswatthaman more than marked the birds, 
When fierce there fell out of the velvet night. 
Silent and terrible, an eagle-owl, 

18 



2 74 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

With wide, soft, deadly, dusky wings, and eyes 
Flame-colored, and long claws, and dreadful beak, 
Like a winged sprite, or great Garood himself. 
Offspring of Bharata ! it lighted there 
Upon the banian bough ; hooted — but low — 
The fury smothering in its throat, then fell 
With murderous beak and claws upon those crows ; 
Rending the wings from this, the legs from that, 
From some the heads, of some ripping the crops ; 
Till, tens and scores, the fowl rained down to earth 
Bloody and plucked, and all the ground waxed black 
With piled crow-carcasses ; whilst that great owl 
Hooted for joy of vengeance, and again 
Spread the wide, deadly, dusky wings. 

" Up sprang 
The son of Drona : ' Lo ! this owl,' quoth he, 
' Teacheth me wisdom — lo ! one slayeth so 
Insolent foes asleep. The Kuru Lords 
Are all too strong in arms by day to kill ; 



THE NIGHT OF SLAUGHTER. 275 

They triumph, being many. Yet I swore 

Before the King, my father, I would kill 

And kill, — even as a foolish fly should swear 

To quench a flame. It scorched ; and I shall die 

If I dare open battle ; but by art 

Men vanquish fortune and the mightiest odds. 

If there be two ways to a wise man's wish, 

But only one way sure, he taketh that ; 

And if it be an evil way, condemned 

For Brahmans, yet the Kshattriya may do that 

Which vengeance bids against his foes. Our foes. 

The Pandavas, are furious, treacherous, base. 

Halting at nothing ; and how say the wise 

In holy Shasters ? — " Wounded, wearied, fed. 

Or fasting ; sleeping, waking, setting forth. 

Or new arriving ; slay thine enemies ! " 

And so again : " At midnight, when they sleep ; 

Dawn, when they watch ; noon, if their leaders fall ; 

Eve, should they scatter ; all the times and hours 

Are times and hours good for killing foes." ' 



276 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

^' So did the son of Drona steel his soul 
To break upon the sleeping Pandu chiefs 
And slay them in the darkness. Being set 
On this unlordly deed, and clear in scheme, 
He from their slumbers roused the warriors twain, 
Kripa and Kritavarman." 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 

(FROM THE MAHAPRASTHAnIKA PARVA OF THE MAHA- 
BHARATA. — Vol. iv. of the Calcutta Quarto Edition.) 

To Narayeti, Lord of lords ^ be glory given. 
To sweet Saraswati, the Queen ift heaven ; 
To great Vydsa, eke, pay reverence due, 
That this high story 7nay its course pursue. 

Then Janmejaya prayed : " O Singer, say, 
What wrought the princes of the Pandavas 
On tidings of the battle so ensued, 
And Krishna, gone on high? " 

Answered the Sage : 
" On tidings of the wreck of Vrishni's race, 
King Yudhisthira of the Pandavas 
Was minded to be done with earthly things, 



278 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And to Arjuna spake : ' O noble Prince, 
Time endeth all j we linger, noose on neck, 
Till the last day tightens the line, and kills. 
Let us go forth to die, being yet alive/ 
And Kunti's son, the great Arjuna, said : 
' Let us go forth to die ! — Time slayeth all. 
We will find Death, who seeketh other men.' 
And Bhimasena, hearing, answered : 'Yea, 
We will find Death ! ' and Sahadev cried : ' Yea ! ' 
And his twin brother Nakula ; whereat 
- The princes set their faces for the Mount. 



" But Yudhisthira — ere he left his realm 
To seek high ending — summoned Yuyutsu, 
Surnamed of fights, and set him over all, 
Regent, to rule in Parikshita's name 
Nearest the throne ; and Parikshita King 
He crowned, and unto old Subhadra said : 
' This, thy son's son, shall wear the Kuru crown. 
And Yadu's offspring, Vajra, shall be first 



I 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 279 

In Yadu's house. Bring up the little prince 

Here in our Hastinpur, but Vajra keep 

At Indraprasth ; and let it be thy last 

Of 'virtuous works to guard the lads, and guide.' 

" So ordering ere he went, the righteous King 
Made offering of white water, heedfully, 
To Vasudev, to Rama, and the rest, — 
All funeral rites performing ; next he spread 
A funeral feast, whereat there sat as guests 
Narada, Dwaipayana, Bharadwaj, 
And Markandeya, rich in saintly years, 
And Yajnavalkya, Hari, and the priests : 
Those holy ones he fed with dainty meats 
In kingUest wise, naming the name of Him 
Who bears the bow ; and- that it ^ould be well 
For him and his — gave to the Brahmanas 
Jewels of gold and silver, lakhs on lakhs. 
Fair broidered cloths, gardens and villages. 
Chariots and steeds and slaves. 



28o INDIAN IDYLLS. 

'' Which being done, — 
O Best of Bharat's line ! — he bowed him low 
Before his Guru's feet, — at Kripa's feet, 
That sage all honored, — saying, ' Take my Prince ; 
Teach Parikshita as thou taughtest me. 
For hearken, ministers and men of war ! 
Fixed is my mind to quit all earthly state.' 
Full sore of heart were they, and sore the folk, 
To hear such speech, and bitter went the word 
Through town and country, that the King would go ; 
And all the people cried, ' Stay with us, Lord ! * 
But Yudhisthira knew his time was come, . 
Knew that life passes and that virtue lasts, 
And put aside their love. 

• " So, with farewells 

Tenderly took of lieges and of lords, 
Girt he for travel, with his princely kin, 
Great Yudhisthira, Dharma's royal son. 
Crest-gem and belt and ornaments he stripped 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 281 

From off his body, and for broidered robe 
A rough dress donned, woven of jungle-bark ; 
And what he did — O Lord of men ! — so did 
Arjuna, Bhima, and the twin-born pair, 
Nakula with Sahadev, and she, — in grace 
The peerless, — Draupadi. Lastly these six, — 
Thou son of Bharata ! — in solemn form 
Made the high sacrifice of Naishtiki, 
Quenching their flames in water at the close ; 
And so set forth, midst waihng of all folk 
And tears of women, weeping most to see 
The Princess -Draupadi — that lovely prize 
Of the great gaming, Draupadi the Bright — 
Journeying afoot ; but she and all the five 
Rejoiced, because their way lay heavenwards. 

" Seven were they, setting forth, — Princess and King, 
The King's four brothers, and a faithful dog. 
Those left Hastinapur ; but many a man, 
And all the palace household, followed them 



282 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The first sad stage : and, ofttimes prayed to part, 
Put parting off for love and pity, still 
Sighing, ' A little farther 1 ' — till day waned ; 
Then one by one they turned, and Kripa said : 
' Let all turn back, Yuyutsu ! These must go/ 
So came they homewards, but the Snake-King's child, 
Ulupi, leapt in Gunga, losing them ; 
And Chitrangada with his people went 
Mournful to Munipoor, whilst those three queens 
Brought Parikshita in. 

" Thus wended they, 
Pandu's five sons and loveliest Draupadi, 
Tasting no meat, and journeying due east. 
On righteousness their high hearts fed, to heaven 
Their souls assigned ; and steadfast trod their feet — 
By faith upborne — past nullah, ran, and wood. 
River and jheel and plain. King Yudhisthir 
Walked foremost, Bhima followed, after him 
Arjuna, and the twin-born brethren next, 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 283 

Nakula with Sahadev : in whose still steps — 
O Best of Bharat's offspring ! — Draupadi, 
That gem of women, paced, with soft, dark face, — 
Beautiful, wonderful ! — and lustrous eyes. 
Clear-edged like lotus-petals ; last the dog 
Following the Pandavas. 

"At length they reach 
The far Lauchityan Sea, which foameth white 
Under Udayachala's ridge. — Know ye, 
That all this while Nakula had not ceased 
Bearing the holy bow, named Gandiva, 
And jewelled quiver, ever filled with shafts. 
Though one should shoot a thousand thousand times. 
Here — broad across their path — the heroes see 
Agni, the god. As though a mighty hiU 
Took form of front and breast and limb, he spake. 
Seven streams of shining splendor rayed his brow. 
While the dread voice said : * I am Agni, chiefs ! 
O sons of Pandu, I am Agni ! Hail ! 



284 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

O long-armed Yudhisthira, blameless king, — 
O warlike Bhima, — O Arjuna, wise, — 
O brothers twin-born from a womb divine, — 
Hear ! I am Agni, who consumed the wood 
By will of Narayan for Arjuna's sake. 
Let this your brother give Gandiva back, — 
The matchless bow : the use for it is o'er. 
That gem-ringed battle-discus which he hurled 
Cometh again to Krishna in his hand 
For avatars to be ; but need is none 
Henceforth of this most excellent bright bow, 
Gandiva, which I brought for Partha's aid 
From high Varuna. Let it be returned. 
Cast it herein ! ' 

" And all the princes said, 
' Cast it, dear brother ! ' So Arjuna threw 
Into that sea the quiver ever-filled. 
And glittering bow ; then, led by Agni's light, 
- Unto the south they turned, and so southwest, 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. . 285 

And aftenvards right west, until they saw 
Dwaraka, washed and bounded by a main 
Loud-thundering on its shores ; and here — O Best ! — 
Vanished the god ; while yet those heroes walked, 
Now to the northwest bending, where long coasts 
Shut in the sea of salt, now to the north. 
Accomplishing all quarters, journeyed they ; 
The earth their altar of high sacrifice, 
Which these most patient feet did pace around 
Till Meru rose. 

" At last it rose ! These Six, 
Their senses subjugate, their spirits pure, 
Wending along, came into sight — far off 
In the eastern sky — of awful Himavat ; 
And, midway in the peaks of Himavat, 
Meru, the mountain of all mountains, rose. 
Whose head is heaven ; and under Himavat 
Glared a wide waste of sand, dreadful as death. 



286 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" Then, as they hastened o'er the deathly waste, 
Aiming for Meru, having thoughts at soul 
Infinite, eager, — lo ! Draupadi reeled. 
With falterihg heart and feet ; and Bhima turned, 
Gazing upon her ; and that hero spake 
To Yudhisthira : ' Master, Brother, King ! 
Why doth she fail? For never all her hfe 
Wrought our sweet lady one thing wrong, I think. 
Thou knowest ; make us know, why hath she failed? ' 

" Then Yudhisthira answered : ' Yea, one thing. 
She loved our brothers better than all else, — 
Better than heaven : that was her tender sin. 
Fault of a faultless soul ; she pays for that.' 

" So spake the monarch, turning not his eyes. 
Though Draupadf lay dead, — striding straight "on 
For Meru, heart-full of the things of heaven. 
Perfect and firm. But yet a little space 
And Sahadev fell down ; which Bhima seeing, 
Cried once again : ' O King, great Madri's son 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 287 

Stumbles and sinks. Why hath he sunk ? — so true, 
So brave and steadfast, and so free from pride ! ' 

" ' He was not free,' with countenance still fixed, 
Quoth Yudhisthira ; ' he was true and fast 
And wise ; yet wisdom made him proud ; he hid 
One little hurt of soul, but now it kills.' 

'' So saying, he strode on, Kunti's strong son. 
And Bhima j and Arjuna followed him. 
And Nakula, and the hound ; leaving behind 
Sahadev in the sands. But Nakula, 
Weakened and grieved to see Sahadev fall — 
His dear-loved brother — lagged and stayed ; and then 
Prone on his face he fell, that noble face 
Which had no match for beauty in the land, — 
Glorious and godlike Nakula ! Then sighed 
Bhima anew : ' Brother and Lord ! the man 
Who never erred from virtue, never broke 
Our fellowship, and never in the world 
Was matched for goodly perfectness of form 
Or gracious feature, — Nakula has fallen ! ' 



288 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" But Yudhisthira, holding fixed his eyes, — 
That changeless, faithful, all-wise king, — repHed : 
* Yea, but he erred ! The godlike form he wore 
Beguiled him to believe none like'to him, 
And he alone desirable, and things 
Unlovely, to be slighted. Self-love slays 
Our noble brother. Bhima, follow ! Each 
Pays what his debt was.' 

" Which Arjuna heard, 
Weeping to see them fall ; and that stout son 
Of Pandu, that destroyer of his foes, 
That Prince, who drove through crimson waves of war, 
In old days, with his milk-white chariot-steeds. 
He, the arch-hero, sank ! Beholding this, — 
The yielding of that soul unconquerable. 
Fearless, divine, from Sakra's self derived, 
Arjuna's, — Bhima cried aloud : ' O King ! 
This man was surely perfect. Never once. 
Not even in slumber, when the lips are loosed, 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 289 

Spake he one word that was not true as truth. 
Ah, heart of gold ! why art thou broke ? O King ! 
Whence falleth he ? ' 

" And Yudhisthira said, 
Not pausing : ' Once he lied, a lordly lie ! 
He bragged — our brother — that a single day 
Should see him utterly consume, alone, 
All those his enemies, — which could not be. 
Yet from a great heart sprang the unmeasured speech. 
Howbeit a finished hero should not shame 
Himself in such wise, nor his enemy. 
If he will faultless fight and blameless die : 
This was Arjuna's sin. Follow thou me ! ' 

" So the King still went on. But Bhima next 
Fainted, and stayed upon the way, and sank ; 
But, sinking, cried behind the steadfast Prince : 
' Ah, brother, see ! I die ! Look upon me. 
Thy well-beloved ! Wherefore falter I, 
Who strove to stand ? ' 

19 



290 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" x\nd Yudhisthira said : 
' More than was well the goodly things of earth 
Pleased thee, my pleasant brother ! Light the offence, 
And large thy spirit ; but the o'erfed soul 
Plumed itself over others. Pritha's son, 
For this thou failest, who so near didst gain.' 

" Thenceforth alone the long-armed monarch strode. 
Not looking back, — nay, not for Bhima's sake, — 
But walking with his face set for the Mount ; 
And the hound followed him, — only the hound. 

» 

" After the deathly sands, the Mount ! and, lo ! 
Sakra shone forth, — the God, — filling the earth 
And heavens with thunder of his chariot- wheels. 
' Ascend,' he said, * with me, Pritha's great son ! ' 
But Yudhisthira answered, sore at heart 
For those his kinsfolk, fallen on the way : 
' O Thousand-eyed, O Lord of all the gods, 
Give that my brothers come with me, who fell ! 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 291 

Not without them is Swarga sweet to me. 
She too, the dear and kind and queenly, — she 
Whose perfect virtue Paradise must crown, — 
Grant her to come with us ! Dost thou grant this ? * 

" The God repHed : * In heaven thou shalt see 
Thy kinsmen and the Queen — these will attain — 
And Krishna. Grieve no longer for thy dead, 
Thou chief of men ! their mortal covering stripped. 
These have their places ; but to thee the gods 
Allot an unknowTi grace : thou shalt go up. 
Living and in thy form, to the immortal homes.' 

" But the King answered : ' O thou Wisest One, 
Who know'st what was, and is, and is to be, 
Still one more grace ! This hound hath ate with me. 
Followed me, loved me ; must I leave him now?' 

" ' Monarch,' spake Indra, ' thou art now as we, — 
Deathless, divine ; thou art become a god ; 



292 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Glory and power and gifts celestial, 

And all the joys of heaven are thine for aye : 

What hath a beast with these ? Leave here thy hound.' 

" Yet Yudhisthira answered : ' O Most High, 

Thousand-eyed and wisest ! can it be 
That one exalted should seem pitiless ? 
Nay, let me lose such glory : for its sake 

1 cannot leave one living thing I loved.' 

" Then sternly Indra spake : ' He is unclean, 
And into Swarga such shall enter not. 
The Krodhavasha's wrath destroys the fruits 
Of sacrifice, if dogs defile the fire. 
Bethink thee, Dharmaraj ; quit now this beast ! 
That which is seemly is not hard of heart.' 

" Still he replied : ' 'T is written that to spurn 
A suppliant equals in offence to slay 
A twice-born ; wherefore, not for Swarga's bliss 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 293 

Quit I, Mahendra, this poor clinging dog, — 

So without any hope or friend save me. 

So wistful, fawning for my faithfulness ; 

So agonized to die, unless I help 

Who among men was called steadfast and just.' 

" Quoth Indra : ' Nay, the altar-flame is foul 
Where a dog passeth ; angry angels sweep 
The ascending smoke aside, and all the fruits 
Of offering, and the merit of the prayer 
Of him whom a hound toucheth. Leave it here ! 
He that will enter heaven must enter pure. 
Why didst thou quit thy brethren on the way, 
And Krishna, and the dear-loved Draupadi, 
Attaining, firm and glorious, to this Mount 
Through perfect deeds, to linger for a brute ? 
Hath Yudhisthira vanquished self, to melt 
With one poor passion at the door of bHss ? 
Stay'st thou for this, who didst not stay for them, — 
Draupadi, Bhima? ' 



294 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" But the King yet spake : 
* 'T is known that none can hurt or help the dead. 
They, the dehghtful ones, who sank and died, 
Following my footsteps, could not live again 
Though I had turned, — therefore I did not turn ; 
But could help profit, I had stayed to help. 
There be four sins, O Sakra, grievous sins : 
The first is making suppliants despair. 
The second is to slay a nursing wife. 
The third is spoiling Brahmans' goods by force, 
The fourth is injuring an ancient friend. 
These four I deem not direr than the crime, 
If one, in coming forth from woe to weal. 
Abandon any meanest comrade then.* 

" Straight as he spake, brightly great Indra smiled ; 
Vanished the hound, and in its stead stood there 
The Lord of Death and Justice, Dharma's self ! 
Sweet were the words which fell from those dread lips. 
Precious the lovely praise : * O thou true King, 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 295 

Thou that dost bring to harvest the good seed 

Of Pandu's righteousness ; thou that hast ruth 

As he before, on all which lives ! — O Son ! 

I tried thee in the Dwaita wood, what time 

They smote thy brothers, bringing water ; then 

Thou prayed'st for Nakula's hfe — tender and just — 

NonBhima's nor Arjuna's, true to both. 

To Madri as to Kunti, to both queens. ^ 

Hear thou my word ! Because thou didst not mount 

This car divine, lest the poor hound be shent 

Who looked to thee, lo ! there is none in heaven 

Shall sit above thee, King ! — Bharata's son ! 

Enter thou now to the eternal joys, 

Living and in thy form. Justice and Love 

Welcome thee, Monarch ! thou shalt throne with us ! ' 

" Thereat those mightiest gods, in glorious train, 
Mahendra, Dharma, — with bright retinue 

1 A reference to the concluding part of " The Enchanted Lake " 
will explain this. See p. 234. 



296 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Of Maruts, Saints, Aswin-Kumaras, Nats, 

Spirits, and angels, — bore tlie King aloft, 

The thundering chariot first, and after it 

Those airy-moving Presences. Serene, 

Clad in great glory, potent, wonderful, 

They glide at will, — at will they know and see ; 

At wish their wills are wrought ; for these are pure. 

Passionless, hallowed, perfect, free of earth. 

In such celestial midst the Kuru king 

Soared upward, and a sweet light filled the sky, 

And fell on earth, cast by his face and form. 

Transfigured as he rose ; and there was heard 

The voice of Narad, — it is he who sings, 

Sitting in heaven, the deeds that good men do 

In all the quarters, — Narad, chief of bards, 

Narad the wise, who laudeth purity, — 

So cried he : ' Thou art risen, Kuru king ! 

Whose greatness is above all royal saints. 

Hail, son of Pandu ! like to thee is none 

Now or before among the sons of men, 



THE GREAT JOURNEY. 297 

Whose fame hath filled the three wide worlds, who corn's 
Bearing thy mortal body, wliich doth shine 
With radiance as a god's.* 

" The glad King heard 
Narad's loud praise ; he saw the immortal gods, — ■ 
Dharma, Mahendra ; and dead chiefs and saints, 
Known upon earth, in blessed heaven he saw, 
But only those. * I do desire,' he said, 
* That region, be it of the Blest as this, 
Or of the Sorrowful some otherwhere. 
Where my dear brothers are, and Draupadi. 
I cannot stay elsewhere ! I see them not ! ' 

" Then answer made Purandara, the God : 
' O thou compassionate and noblest one, 
Rest in the pleasures which thy deeds have gained. 
How, being as are the gods, canst thou live bound 
By mortal chains ? Thou art become of us, 
Who live above hatred and love, in bliss 
Pinnacled, safe, supreme. Sun of thy race, 



298 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Thy brothers cannot reach where thou hast cHmbed ! 
Most glorious lord of men, let not thy peace 
Be touched by stir of earth ! Look ! this is heaven. 
See where the saints sit, and the happy souls, 
Siddhas and angels, and the gods who live 
Forever and forever.' 

" * King of gods,' 
Spake Yudhisthira, * but I will not live 
A little space without those souls I loved. 
O Slayer of the demons ! let me go 
Where Bhima and my brothers are, and she, 
My Draupadi, the Princess with the face 
Softer and darker than the Vrihat-leaf, 
And soul as sweet as are its odors. Lo ! 
Where they have gone, there will I surely go.' " * 

1 Contrast this magnificent unselfishness with Dante or St. 
Thomas Aquinas I The Sanskrit text has a noble simplicity, — 
Gantmn ichchami tatra aham yatra me bhrataro gata. 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 



II. 



(FROM THE SANSKRIT OF THE SWARGAROHANA PARVA 
OF THE MAHABHARATA. — Vol. iv. of the Calcutta Quarto 
Edition.) 

To JVarayen, Lord of lords, be glory given. 
To Queen Saraswati be praise in heaven ; 
Unto Vydsa pay the reverence due, 
So may this story its high course pursue. 



Then Janmejaya said : " I am fain to learn 
How it befell with my great forefathers, 
The Pandu chiefs and Dhritirashtra's sons, 
Being to heaven ascended. If thou know'st, ■ 



300 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

And thou know'st all, whom wise Vyasa taught, — 
Tell me, how fared it with those mighty souls ? " 

Answered the Sage : " Hear of thy forefathers — 
Great Yudhisthira and the Pandu lords — 
How it befell. When thus the blameless King 
Was entered into heaven, there he beheld 
Duryodhana, his foe, throned as a god 
Amid the gods ; splendidly sat that Prince, 
Peaceful and proud, the radiance of his brows 
Far-shining like the sun's ; and round him thronged 
Spirits of light, with Sadhyas, — companies 
Goodly to see. But when the King beheld 
Duryodhana in bliss, and not his own, — 
Not Draupadi, nor Bhima, nor the rest, — 
With quick-averted face and angry eyes 
The monarch spake : * Keep heaven for such as these, 
If these come here ! I do not wish to dwell 
Where he is, whom I hated rightfully, 
Being a covetous and witless Prince ; 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 301 

Whose deed it was that in wild fields of war 
Brothers and friends by mutual slaughter fell, 
While our swords smote, sharpened so wrathfully 
By all those wrongs borne wandering in the woods : 
But Draupadi's the deepest wrong, for he — 
He who sits there — haled her before the court, 
Seizing that sweet and virtuous lady — he ! — 
With grievous hand wound in her tresses. Gods, 
I cannot look upon him ! Sith 't is so. 
Where are my brothers ? Thither will I go ! ' 

" Smiling, bright Narada the Saint replied : 
' Speak thou not rashly ! Say not this, O King ! 
Those who come here lay enmities aside. 
O Yudhisthira, long-armed monarch, hear ! 
Duryodhana is cleansed of sin ; he sits 
Worshipful as the saints, worshipped by saints 
And kings who lived and died in virtue's path. 
Attaining to the joys which heroes gain 
Who yield their breath in battle. Even so 



302 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

He that did wrong thee, knowing not thy worth, 
Hath won before thee hither, raised to bhss 
For lordhness, and valor free of fear. 
Ah, well-beloved son ! ponder thou not 
The memory of that gaming, nor the griefs 
Of Draupadi, nor any vanished hurt 
Wrought in the passing shows of life by craft 
Or wasteful war. Throne happy at the side 
Of this thy happy foeman, — wiser now ; 
For here is Paradise, thou Chief of men ! 
And in its holy air hatreds are dead.' 

" Thus by the Saint addressed, the Kuru King 
Answered uncomforted : ' Duryodhana, 
If he attains, attains ; yet not the less 
Evil he lived and ill he died, — a heart 
Impious and harmful, bringing woes to all, 
To friends and foes. His was the crime which cost 
Our land its warriors, horses, elephants ; 
His the black sin that set us in the field, 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 303 

Burning for rightful vengeance. Ye are gods, 
And just ; and ye have granted heaven to him. 
Show me the regions, therefore, where they dwell, 
My brothers, those, the noble-souled, the loyal. 
Who kept the sacred laws, who swerved no step 
•From virtue's path, who spake the truth, and lived 
Foremost of warriors. Where is Kunti's son, 
The hero-hearted Kama ? Where are gone 
Satyaki, Dhrishtadyumna, with their sons ? 
And where those famous chiefs who fought for me. 
Dying a splendid death ? I see them not. 
O Narada, I see them not ! No King 
Draupada ! no Virata ! no glad face 
Of Dhrishtaketu ! no Shikandina, 
Prince of Panchala, nor his princely boys ! 
Nor Abhimanyu the unconquerable ! 
President Gods of heaven ! I see not here 
Radha's bright son, nor Yudhamanyu, 
Nor Uttamanjaso, his brother dear ! 
Where are those noble Maharashtra lords, 



304 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Rajas and rajpoots, slain for love of us ? 

Dwell they in glory elsewhere, not yet seen ? 

If they be here, high Gods, and those with them 

For whose sweet sakes I lived, here will I live, 

Meek-hearted ; but if such be not adjudged 

Worthy, I am not worthy, nor my soul 

Willing to rest without them. Ah, I burn, 

Now, in glad heaven, with grief, bethinking me 

Of those my mother's words, what time I poured 

Death-water for my dead at Kurkshetra, — 

" Pour for Prince Kama, Son ! " but I wist not 

His feet were as my mother's feet, his blood 

Her blood, my blood. O Gods ! I did not know, 

Albeit Sakra's self had failed to break 

The battle, where he stood. I crave to see 

Surya's child, that glorious chief who fell 

By Saryasachi's hand, unknown of me ; 

And Bhima ! ah, my Bhima ! dearer far 

Than life to me ; Arjuna, like a god, 

Nakula and Sahadev, twin lords of war. 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 305 

With tenderest Draupadi ! Show me those souls ! 
I cannot tarry where I have them not. 
Bliss is not blissful, just and mighty Ones ! 
Save if I rest beside them. Heaven is there 
Where Love and Faith make heaven. Let me go ! ' 

" And answer made the hearkening heavenly Ones : 
* Go, if it seemeth good to thee, dear son ! 
The King of gods commands we do thy will.' 

" So sapng," the Sage went on, " Dhaniia's own voice 
Gave ordinance, and from the shining bands 
A golden Deva glided, taking hest 
To guide the King there where his kinsmen were. 
So wended these, the holy angel first. 
And in his steps the King, close following. 
Together passed they through the gates of pearl, 
Together heard them close ; then to the left 
Descending, by a path evil and dark, — 
Hard to be traversed, rugged, — entered the/ 

20 



306 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

The ' Sinners ' Road.' The tread of sinful feet 

Matted the thick thorns carpeting its slope ! 

The smell of sin hung foul on them ; the mire 

About their roots was trampled filth of flesh 

Horrid with rottenness, and splashed with gore 

Curdling in crimson puddles ; where there buzzed 

And sucked, and settled, creatures of the swamp, 

Hideous in wing and sting, gnat-clouds and flies, 

With moths, toads, newts, and snakes red-gulleted ; 

And livid, loathsome worms, writhing in slime 

Forth from skull-holes and scalps and tumbled bones. 

A burning forest shut the roadside in 

On either hand, and 'mid its crackling boughs 

Perched ghastly birds, or flapped amidst the flames, — 

Vultures and kites and crows, — with brazen plumes 

And beaks of iron ; and these grisly fowl 

Screamed to the shrieks of Prets, — lean, famished ghosts. 

Featureless, eyeless, having pin-point mouths. 

Hungering, but hard to fill, — all swooping down 

To gorge uf)on the meat of wicked ones ; 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 307 

Whereof the limbs disparted, trunks and heads, 

Offal and marrow, Uttered all the way. ^ 

By such a path the King passed, sore afeared 

If he had known of fear, for the air stank 

With carrion stench, sickly to breathe ; and lo ! 

Presently 'thwart the pathway foamed a flood 

Of boiling waves, rolling down corpses. This 

They passed, and then the Asipatra wood 

Spread black in sight, whereof the undergrowth 

Was sword-blades, every blade, spitting some wretch ; 

All around poison-trees ; and next to this, 

Strewn deep with fiery sands, an awful waste. 

Wherethrough the wicked toiled with blistering feet, 

'Midst rocks of brass, red hot, which scorched, and pools 

Of bubbling pitch that gulfed them. Last the gorge 

Of Kutashala Mali, — frightful gate 

Of utmost Hell, with utmost horrors filled. 

Deadly and nameless were the plagues seen there ; 

Which when the monarch reached, nigh overborne 

By terrors and the reek of tortured flesh, 



308 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Unto the angel spake he : ' Whither goes 

This hateful road, and where be they I seek, 

Yet find not ? ' Answer made the heavenly One : 

* Hither, great King, it was commanded me 

To bring thy steps. If thou be'st overborne, 

It is commanded that I lead thee back 

To where the gods wait. Wilt thou turn and mount ? ' 

" Then (O thou Son of Bharat !) Yudhisthir 
Turned heavenward his face, so was he moved 
With horror and the hanging stench, and spent 
By toil of that black travel. But his feet 
Scarce one stride measured, when about the place 
Pitiful accents rang : * Alas, sweet King ! — 
Ah, saintly Lord ! — Ah, thou that hast attained 
Place with the Blessed, Pandu's offspring ! — pause 
A little while for love of us who cry ! 
Nought can harm thee in all this baneful place ; 
But at thy coming there 'gan blow a breeze 
Balmy and soothing, bringing us relief. 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 309 

O Pritha's son, mightiest of men ! we breathe 
Glad breath again to see thee ; we have peace 
One moment in our agonies. Stay here 
One moment more, Bharata's child ! Go not, 
Thou glory of the Kurus ! Being here, 
Hell softens and our bitter pains relax.' 

" These pleadings, wailing all around the place. 
Heard the King Yudhisthira, — words of woe 
Humble and eager ! and compassion seized 
His lordly mind. ' Poor souls unknown ! ' he sighed, 
And hellwards turned anew ; for what those were, 
Whence such beseeching voices, and of whom, 
That son of Pandu wist not, — only wist 
That all the noxious murk was filled with forms, 
Shadowy, in anguish, crying grace of him. 
Wherefore he called aloud : ' Who speaks with me? 
What do ye here, and what things suffer ye ? ' 
Then from the black depth piteously there came 
Answers of whispered suffering : ' Kama I, 



3IO INDIAN IDYLLS. 

O King ! ' and yet another : ' O my liege. 
Thy Bhima speaks ! ' and then a voice again : 
^ I am Arjuna, Brother ! ' and again : 

* Nakula is here, and Sahadev ! ' and last, 
A moan of music from the darkness sighed : 

* Draupadi cries to thee ! ' Thereat broke forth 
The monarch's spirit, knowing so the sound 

Of each familiar voice : ' What doom is this ? 
What have my well-beloved wrought to earn 
Death with the damned, or hfe loathlier than death 
In Narak's midst ? Hath Kama erred so deep, 
Bhima, Arjuna, or the glorious twins, 
Or she, the slender-waisted, sweetest, best, 
My Princess, — that Duryodhana should sit 
Peaceful in Paradise with all his crew. 
Throned by Mahendra and the shining gods ? 
How should these fail of bliss, and he attain ? 
What were their sins to his, their splendid faults ? 
For if they slipped, it was in virtue's way 
Serving good laws, performing holy rites, 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 311 

Boundless in gifts and faithful to the death. 
These be their well-known voices ! Are ye here, 
Souls I loved best ? Dream I, belike, asleep. 
Or rave I, maddened with accursed sights, 
And death-reeks of this hellish air ? ' 

" Thereat 
For pity and for pain the King waxed wroth. 
That soul fear could not shake, nor trials tire, 
Burned terrible with tenderness, the while 
His eyes searched all the gloom, his planted feet 
Stood fast in the mid horrors. Well-nigh, then, 
He cursed the gods j well-nigh that steadfast mind 
Broke from its faith in virtue. But he stayed 
Th' indignant passion, softly speaking this 
Unto the angel : * Go to those thou serv'st ; 
Tell them I come not thither. Say I stand 
Here in the throat of hell, and here will bide — 
Nay, if I perish — while my well-belov'd 
Win ease and peace by any pains of mine.' 

6 



312 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" Whereupon, nought repHed the shining One, 
But straight repaired unto the upper Hght, 
Where Sakra sat above the gods, and spake 
Before the gods the message of the King." 



"Afterwards, what befell? " the Prince inquired. 

" Afterwards, Princely One ! " replied the Sage, 

" At hearing and at knowing that high deed 

(Great Yudhisthira braving hell for love), 

The Presences of Paradise uprose. 

Each Splendor in his place, — God Sakra chief : 

Together rose they and together stepped 

» 
Down from their thrones, treading the nether road 

Where Yudhisthira tarried. Sakra led 

The shining van, and Dharma, Lord of laws, 

Paced glorious next. O Son of Bharata, 

While that celestial company came down — 

Pure as the white stars sweeping through the sky. 

And brighter than their brilliance — look ! hell's shades 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 313 

Melted before them ; warm gleams drowned the gloom ; 

Soft, lovely scenes rolled over the ill sights ; 

Peace calmed the cries of torment ; in its bed 

The boiling river slirank, quiet and clear ; 

The Asipatra Vana — awful wood — 

Blossomed with colors ; all those cruel blades, 

And dreadful rocks, and piteous scattered wreck 

Of writhing bodies, where the King had passed, 

Vanished as dreams fade. Cool and fragrant went 

A wind before their faces, as these gods 

Drew radiant to the presence of the King, — 

Maruts ; and Vasus eight, who shine and serve 

Round Indra ; Rudras ; Aswins ; and those Six 

Immortal Lords of hght beyond our light. 

Th' Adityas ; Saddhyas ; Siddhas, — these were there. 

With angels, saints, and habitants of heaven. 

Smiling resplendent round the steadfast Prince. 

" Then spake the God of gods these gracious words 
To Yudhisthira, standing in that place : — 



314 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

" ' King Yudhisthira ! O thou long-armed Lord, 
This is enough ! All Heaven is glad of thee. 
It is enough! Come, thou most blessed one. 
Unto thy peace, well-gained. Lay here aside 
Thy loving wrath, and hear the speech of Heaven. 
It is appointed that all kings see hell. 
The reckonings for the life of men are twain : 
Of each man's righteous deeds a tally true, 
A tally true of each man's evil deeds. 
Who hath wrought little right, to him is paid 
A little bliss in Swarga, then the woe 
Which purges ; who much right hath wrought, from him 
The little ill by lighter pains is cleansed, 
And then the joys. Sweet is peace after pain, 
And bitter pain which follows peace : yet they 
W^ho sorely sin taste of the heaven they miss, 
And they that suffer quit their debt at last. 
Lo ! We have loved thee, laying hard on thee 
Grievous assaults of soul, and this black road. 
Bethink thee : by a semblance once, dear Son ! 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 315 

Drona thou didst beguile ; and once, dear Son ! 

Semblance of hell hath so thy sin assoiled, 

Which passeth with these shadows. Even thus 

Thy Bhima came a httle space t' account, 

Draupadi, Krishna, — all whom thou didst love, 

Never again to lose ! Come, First of men ! 

These be delivered and their quittance made. 

Also the Princes, son of Bharata ! 

Who fell beside thee fighting, have attained. 

Come thou to see ! Kama, whom thou didst mourn, — 

That mightiest archer, master in all wars, — 

He hath attained, shining as doth the sun ; 

Come thou and see ! Grieve no more. King of men ! 

Whose love holped them and thee, and hath its meed. 

Rajas and maharajas, warriors, aids, — 

All thine are thine forever. Krishna waits 

To greet thee coming, 'companied by gods, 

Seated in heaven, from toils and sorrows saved. 

Son ! there is golden fruit of noble deeds, 

Of prayer, alms, sacrifice. The most just gods 



3i6 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

Keep thee thy place above the highest saints, 
Where thou shalt sit, divine, compassed about 
With royal souls in bliss, as Hari sits ; 
Seeing Mandhata crowned, and Bhagirath, 
Daushyanti, Bharata, with all thy line. 
Now therefore wash thee in this holy stream, 
Gunga's pure fount, whereof the bright waves bless 
All the Three Worlds. It will so change thy flesh 
To likeness of th' immortal, thou shalt leave 
Passions and aches and tears behind thee there.* 

"And when the awful Sakra thus had said, 
Lo ! Dharma spake, — th' embodied Lord of Right : — 

" * Bho ! bho ! I am well pleased ! Hail to thee. Chief ! 
Worthy, and wise, and firm. Thy faith is full, 
Thy virtue, and thy patience, and thy truth. 
And thy self-mastery. Thrice I put thee. King ! 
Unto the trial. In the Dwaita wood. 
The day of tempting, — then thou stoodest fast ; 
Next, on thy brethren's death and Draupadi's, 



THE ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. 317 

When, as a dog, I followed thee, and found 
Thy spirit constant to the meanest friend. 
Here was the third and sorest touchstone, Son ! 
That thou shouldst hear thy brothers cry in hell, 
And yet abide to help them. Pritha's child. 
We love thee ! Thou art fortunate and pure, 
Past trials now. Thou art approved, and they 
Thou lov'st have tasted hell only a space, 
Not meriting to suffer more than when 
An evil dream doth come, and Indra's beam 
Ends it with radiance, — as this vision ends. 
It is appointed that all flesh see death. 
And therefore thou hast borne the passing pangs, 
Briefest for thee, and brief for those of thine, — 
Bhima the faithful, and the valiant twins 
Nakula and Sahadev, and those great hearts 
Kama, Arjuna, with thy princess dear, 
Draupadi. Come, thou best-beloved Son, 
Blessed of all thy Hne ! Bathe in this stream, — 
It is great Gunga, flowing through Three Worlds.' 



3t8 INDIAN IDYLLS. 

"Thus high-accosted, the rejoicing King 
(Thy ancestor, O Liege !) proceeded straight 
Unto that river's brink, which flovveth pure 
Through the Three Worlds, mighty, and sweet, and praised. 
There, being bathed, the body of the King 
Put off its mortal, coming up arrayed 
In grace celestial, washed from soils of sin. 
From passion, pain, and change. So, hand in hand 
With brother-gods, glorious went Yudhisthir, 
Lauded by lovely minstrelsy, and songs 
Of unknown music, where those heroes stood — 
The princes of the Pandavas, his kin — 
And lotus-eyed and loveliest Draupadi, 
Waiting to greet Mm, gladdening and glad." 



University Press : John Wilson & Son, Cambridge. 



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